Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2009

CONTACT: Leslie Shedd
(202) 225-5565

Rep. Frank Lucas Statement on SCHIP Vote

Washington, DC - Today, the House of Representatives passed the Senate-amended expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program by a vote of 290-135.  Disguised as a program to grant low-income children health insurance, this bill will allow Speaker Pelosi to moves this country closer to a socialized health care system at a massive cost to the American taxpayers.  Congressman Frank Lucas explains his vote against the bill below.

“SCHIP is a good program that has been subjected to bad policy.  In fact, it was during the Republican majority that this program was initially passed and I have voted for it in the past.  However, we must ensure that low-income children who need health insurance are covered before we expand it to include middle-class children and adults. 

“Speaker Pelosi has once again bypassed legislative process and excluded a debate on this important piece of legislation at the expense of the American taxpayers.  Perhaps in San Francisco, people earning $88,000 a year are considered “low-income,” but throughout the rest of the country we can see through the Speaker’s attempt to nationalize health care without proper hearings or the approval of the American people.

“It is unfortunate that the Speaker chose to pass this important bill in this manner instead of allowing a real discussion that would ensure SCHIP is a successful and financially viable program that will benefit low-income children and their families.”

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