Rep. Mizuno on the Bush veto

(Yesterday, President Bush vetoed a bill that would have expanded by $35 billion the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) which provides health insurance to over 6 million needy children in the United States.)

By Rep. John Mizuno
Co-Chair, Legislative Keiki Caucus; Vice Chair, House Committee on Health

The President is misguided and his veto of SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) will hurt millions of children and families in our nation. The veto goes against Congress's bipartisan work and support to pass carefully crafted healthcare coverage for our uninsured childen.

Moreover, it may adversely affect Hawaii's newly passed Universal Healthcare bill to provide healthcare coverage for all children in our state.

Hawaii is a leader for access to healthcare, but Bush's veto of SCHIP sends a negative message that healthcare is not a priority and our poor children will suffer.