ICAN: Call Today to Support Kids Healthcare!

I got this email yesterday from ICAN about the importance of passing a reauthorization of SCHIP and expanding healthcare to millions of uninsured kids. Please give Grassley a call and tell to vote to override Bush's threatened veto.

Don’t you think the needs of America’s children should come first? If so, call 1-866-544-7573 and tell your member of Congress to support legislation to ensure that more 3 million more kids have the health insurance coverage they need-- and demand that they oppose President Bush’s threatened veto.

SCHIP EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 30TH

If congress doesn’t act this week, we’re going to have a big problem here in Iowa.

Though ICAN believes that one uninsured child is one too many, here in Iowa we have a very low rate of uninsured children. Only about 3% of children in this state aren’t covered by some kind of health insurance. The main reason for this is because of the HAWK-I program, which is funded by the federal State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP.)

This program expires on September 30^th, and Congress still hasn’t taken action to reauthorize it. And even though leaders in Congress are working RIGHT NOW to pass legislation to renew SCHIP and cover millions more uninsured kids whose parents can't afford private premiums, President Bush has threatened to veto the bill.

This is not a partisan matter. Both of Iowa’s US Senators, Charles Grassley and Tom Harkin not only support the bill, but have been champions of SCHIP and have been leaders in finding a way to pass this measure before the deadline.

CALL NOW!

Sadly, President Bush’s threatened veto would mean that either 6 million children in America would lose their coverage, or states would be into a difficult fiscal position by struggling to replace those federal dollars from already stretched state budgets.

It is vitally important that you call right now and tell your Congressperson:

1. It is important to pass the SCHIP reauthorization, and it is important to Iowa’s kids that you vote yes.

2. The difference between the House and Senate bills is the equivalent of the cost of 53 days of war in Iraq. What is more important to you?

3. The President is planning to veto the SCHIP reauthorization bill. Do you plan to stand with the President and his veto, or will you vote to override this planned veto?

Please use the following TOLL FREE number to call, and you will be connected to your Congressman:

SCHIP Call to Action: 1-866-544-7573

Toll-free number courtesy of SEIU