Biggert, Roskam should back SCHIP

President Bush's veto of a bill to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) will deliver a harsh and unneeded blow to those least able to bear it. Over 150,000 children in Illinois have affordable access to health care thanks to SCHIP. As premiums soar right alongside the costs of treatments, physician visits and prescription drugs, many people and families are caught between a rock and a hard place - if they don't have health insurance, the chances of being able to afford it on their own are slim. Efforts to expand SCHIP provide hope to millions of children caught in the middle of the health care crisis.

AARP commends those members of Illinois' congressional delegation who stood up and did not only what was right, but what was needed by supporting the expansion of the program. Illinois' U.S. representatives who didn't support the bill have a second chance as the House has the opportunity to override the president's veto. AARP urges Reps. Judy Biggert, Peter Roskam and the entire U.S. House to come together on SCHIP and give low-income children the helping hand they need and access to health care they deserve.

Bob Gallo

State Director

AARP Illinois