Press Releases
Alabama Repubs Oppose Children’s Healthcare
MONTGOMERY – Alabama Democratic Party Chair Joe Turnham today criticized Republicans in Congress for voting to uphold President Bush’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, denying health care to ten million children nationwide and preventing 52,400 uninsured children in Alabama from gaining health care. Republicans voted against the program, despite the overwhelming support of the American people for expanding it. Just yesterday, a new CBS News poll showed eight in 10 Americans support expanding the program. [CBS News, 10/17/07]
Not only have a bipartisan group of 43 governors called on President Bush to extend and expand the SCHIP Program, but seven states filed lawsuits against the Bush Administration challenging proposed federal rules that would "force poor children to lose health coverage." [Associated Press, 10/01/07] Despite this broad bipartisan support for the program, and the endorsement of Alabama’s top health official Dr. Don Williamson, all of the Republican Congressmen from our state supported President Bush’s veto.
“Today, Republicans like Jo Bonner, Robert Aderholt, and Spencer Bachus turned their back on Alabama’s children. Supporting President Bush’s heartless and irresponsible veto means denying thousands of kids the opportunity to see a doctor, receive preventative care and live healthier and happier lives. If there is ever an issue where Democrats and Republicans ought to reach consensus, it should be for children’s healthcare. This vote is shameful and shows just how out of touch Republicans like Jeff Sessions and Mike Rogers are with the priorities of Alabama’s families. Democrats remain committed to our children and will continue to fight until every child has the health care they need and deserve. In 2008, we will remind voters to hold these Republicans accountable for their actions.”
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