SCHIP - Maryland Democrats Fought Hard, Not Done Yet

Maryland Democrats Will Find a Way

Annapolis, MD - A bipartisan coalition of Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives were unable to override George Bush's veto of legislation that would have expanded and enhanced health care for millions of needy children throughout America, 42,000 in Maryland alone. Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett was the only member of the Maryland Congressional Delegation to side with Bush and voted to uphold the veto. 

A statement from Michael Cryor, Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party

"Congressman Bartlett said he was proud he voted to create SCHIP in 1997. I can't imagine how he could be proud of the vote he cast today. He should have read the bill rather than rely on Bush's misleading rhetoric as an excuse for voting against a responsible expansion of SCHIP.  

Congressman Bartlett voted to kill the hope of professional health care for vulnerable children of Maryland's working men and women who have no health care at all.

As Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, I am proud - proud of all our state's Democrats in Washington who worked so hard to expand health coverage to kids who have none. I am proud of Maryland's grassroots Democrats, and the progressive, labor and child advocacy communities who turned up the heat and never gave up hope.  

I am prouder still that Maryland's Democrats have vowed to continue fighting until we expand SCHIP and get the health care that so many children and their families need.

Together we did what we could but this fight will not be over until we win it."  

Led the Fight for SCHIP

Maryland joins health care fight

Dems show no signs of letting up on SCHIP

Supporters Speak Out

Editor's view: Political right's smearing of 12-year-old over...

Overriding veto on children's health care program 'challenging ...

A push to keep children insured

Deborah Carter - Just the facts

Rally to support kids' health

Debate on debates (Duck vs. Bartlett)         

The Polls Say Bartlett Should Change his SCHIP Vote

Congressman Bartlett, Get the Facts - Vote to Override Bush's Veto

Tell Roscoe Bartlett that Maryland's Children Can't Afford him to be wrong, twice. 

This is why Elections Matter

Maryland Democrats Stand Tall

Governor Martin O'Malley

"The SCHIP program has enjoyed bipartisan support since its inception and it has provided millions of children access to needed health services including preventive services. These barriers imposed by the Bush Administration mortgage both the fiscal and health future of our nation."  Maryland Joins Multi-State Lawsuit to Secure Children's Health 

Sen. Barbara Mikulski

"With his veto, President Bush has turned his back on America's children in need. This program is critical to ensure our children have access to the health care they need and deserve. I have been fighting since SCHIP's creation to expand coverage and increase payment to states. I will continue to work with my colleagues to overturn the President's misguided veto." 

Sen. Ben Cardin

"It is estimated that we will spend $650 billion in Iraq in five years, yet the president says we cannot afford $35 billion over five years for the health care of American children," he said. "One month of what we spend in Iraq would provide health care to 7.4 million American children. The president's priorities are wrong." [Cumberland Times-News, 10.04.07]

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer

"The President's incomprehensible veto of this bipartisan, fiscally responsible legislation - which is supported by strong majorities in the House and Senate, 43 governors, industry groups and the American people - not only violates his own campaign promise in 2004, but also demonstrates a stunning lack of compassion for some of the most vulnerable members of our society." 

Congressman Al Wynn

"Our greatness as a country is not measured by the size of our military industrial complex; it's measured by whether or not we can provide health insurance to 10 million American kids.  Now the President has said no, but according to all the polls, the American people have said yes.  Majorities in both houses have said yes.  Governors have said yes.  Private charities have said yes."  [Congressman Wynn, 10-3-07]

Congressman Elijah Cummings

"It is a very sad time when the President of our country—elected to represent the interests of everyday people—chooses his own interests instead, vetoing legislation to reauthorize a successful program with broad bipartisan support. I expect more of the President's misleading rhetoric in an attempt to excuse this unjustifiable move. While I am confident that the majority of Americans will not fall for his charade, such confidence sadly offers no solace to the millions of children who will no longer be able to see their doctors and receive the health care they deserve. I agree strongly with Republican Senator Charles Grassley when he said this is not the time for the President to be playing 'catch-up' on failing to veto spending bills in the past six years.  [Rep. Cummings, 10-3-07] 

Congressman Chris Van Hollen

"We in the House have already compromised with the Senate we compromised with the Republicans…who strongly support this bill. It's time for the President to begin to compromise himself...he now tells the country that kids just have to go the emergency room at the hospital in order to get the health care they need. That is not a health care plan for America's kids.  [WYPR, Marc Steiner Show, 10-16.07]  

Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger

"If you look at the facts, both democrats and republicans came together for the bill, so it's important we send a message to the president."   [WMDT-TV, 10-2-07] 

Congressman John Sarbanes

"The public is overwhelmingly in favor of this SCHIP bill. It's really incredible that the president has staked out this position against insuring children under terms which are very responsible. This bill is clearly directed at the poorest among us. It makes absolute sense. The program has worked very well. I think the president is sort of ideologically opposed to the idea that government can do good things."   [WYPR, Marc Steiner Show, 10-16.07]   

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon

"For the President to veto this bill is saying to us that he does not care about our children. Kids can't learn if they're not healthy."    [WJZ-TV, 10-15-07]