Posted by student LINDSEY CLARK – In President Bush’s final State of the Union Address Monday night, he recognized the importance of strengthening and reforming the veterans’ health care system. He noted that over the past seven years, funding for veterans has increased by 95 percent. Urging Congress to enact the recommendations made by Senator Bob Dole and Secretary Donna Shalala and their Commission on Care for Returning and Wounded Warriors, both Democrats and Republicans stood and applauded. Our brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country deserve quality health care. It has been long overdue.
However, one group that is being left out by the President is children. If children are the future of our country, should they also be entitled to health care? Repeatedly, President Bush has vetoed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). An increase in spending has often been the reason for vetoing this legislation that as been in existence since 1997. However, I’m confused. In his speech he asked Congress to support a $300 million program called Pell Grants for Kids that would allow children to attend stronger schools and faith-based schools. He also asked for further strengthening of the No Child Left Behind Act. We can invest in children’s education but we can’t invest in children’s health?
SCHIP would support 10 million children, regardless of how fragile our economy is or what happens to parents’ jobs. Eighty-one percent of Americans support the program, including 43 state governors. Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe is a supporter. SCHIP serves around 80,000 kids in Arkansas. Representative Zack Space (D-Ohio) is leading the charge in Congress to override the President’s veto. I urge organizations, government officials, and the public to encourage their representatives and senators to support this legislation and override President Bush’s veto. Our veterans have fought for freedom and security of our country and it is the children of this great nation will build upon those freedoms and securities to make our nation even greater.
Lindsey Clark is a Clinton School student working toward her Master of Public Service Degree. This column represents her personal views.