Last January I spent time in Washington DC as part of an advocacy conference focusing on children's issues. One of the topics discussed was SCHIP which provides health coverage to America's low income families. It is a Federal program that provides money to state run programs that actually provide the services. It is funded by a federal tax on cigarettes so it is neutral as far as the budget is concerned.
With bi-partisan support the reauthorization and expansion of the SCHIP program passed the House and the Senate earlier this month. However, it was vetoed yesterday by President Bush. Thankfully the Senate has enough votes currently to override and the house is 10 votes away. If you feel this program is important I would like to encourage you to contact your elected officials and let them know how you feel. Services are available (like this one: www.democrats.org/RejectBush) to help you identify your representatives and send them an email.
My son is insured via Ohio's version of SCHIP and I don't know if I could be a seminary without it. Many people who work in ministry also meet the requirements for SCHIP assistance. When we talk about low income workers we are not only talking about unskilled labor and service workers we are also talking about our brothers and sisters engaged in mission around the country.
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Thank you Jeremy
Thank you Jeremy for providing a human element to the rhetoric that surrounds this weak-kneed capitulation of the Bush administration to the tobacco and private health insurance industries. Time for a seminarian values voting block for our children's health. I hope that more and more future leaders work in common cause to help out those within our midst.