Contact: Will Potter   (202) 822-7823

October 26, 2007

House Passes Children’s Health Insurance Bill,
But President Vows to Veto

WASHINGTON—The House of Representatives passed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) yesterday but fell just short of the votes needed to overcome a presidential veto. NEA President Reg Weaver said that such a move by the president would leave millions of children without the medical attention they need to feel and do their best in school.

The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Reg Weaver:

"It’s disgraceful that a critical, bipartisan proposal that has passed overwhelmingly in the House, and would protect millions of children, now faces a presidential veto. Educators across the country know that students can’t learn when they are ill, and their families can’t afford medical care. If students don’t have basic needs met, especially health care, they will surely be left behind. We urge Congress to act quickly to override the president’s veto and protect the basic rights of every child."
 

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators
and students preparing to become teachers.