WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) issued the following statement Sept. 20 in response to President Bush’s comments that he may veto a renewal of the Children’s Health Insurance Program:
“Children without health insurance have no way to pay for a regular check-up, an emergency such as a broken bone or an illness such as diabetes. This program gives our children the care they need—and a chance to live a healthy life. We are the wealthiest country in the world. We should be the healthiest country in the world. President Bush should put away his veto pen and support this important legislation.”
The Children’s Health Insurance Program is the only way 6 million American children can afford health insurance. In New Jersey, 125,000 low-income children rely on the state’s version of the program to remain in good health.
CHIP will expire on September 30th.
In 2005, there were 9 million children without health insurance; 250,000 of them were from New Jersey.
Children without insurance are two times more likely to die from injuries while in the hospital than children with insurance. In addition, twelve percent of children either delay getting care—or get no care—because their families cannot pay for it.
