[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24684]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             THE NEED TO INSURE MORE OF AMERICA'S CHILDREN

  (Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, the news about health care in our 
Nation continues to get more discouraging, especially when it comes to 
health insurance for children. New Census data shows that the number of 
children without health insurance in the United States has grown over 
the last year by 700,000, to nearly 8.7 million children. This means 
that now one in nine American kids do not have health insurance.
  To try and reverse these unacceptable trends, the Democratic Congress 
voted last month to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance 
Program. Our legislation will provide an additional 5 million low-
income children with the health insurance they need to live healthier 
lives. These kids are already eligible but not enrolled.
  Mr. Speaker, President Bush has threatened to veto this legislation, 
despite bipartisan support it received in Congress and from our 
Governors. In the face of these discouraging new Census numbers, it is 
time for the President to end his veto threat and pledge his support 
for this legislation that will provide 11 million children with the 
health care coverage they need and deserve.

                          ____________________