[Page H2865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H2865]]
 BUSH CONTINUES TO OPPOSE EFFORTS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE UNINSURED

  (Mr. CARNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, this is National Cover the Uninsured Week. 
This recognition is particularly important this year as our economy 
continues to dip into recession. The Kaiser Family Foundation recently 
released a study that shows each time the unemployment rate increases 
by one percentage point, an additional 600,000 children lose their 
insurance.
  Congress has worked hard to ensure that our children have access to 
health care coverage through the CHIP program. In strong bipartisan 
votes, this Congress has repeatedly sent President Bush legislation 
that would provide 10 million children quality health care coverage, 
but repeatedly, he vetoed the legislation and prevented us from 
reaching more children.
  This legislation is even more important today as more Americans are 
losing their jobs and their health care, and yet President Bush and 
most Republicans in this Chamber refuse to ensure that 10 million 
children have access to quality health care.
  Mr. Speaker, as we recognize the uninsured this week, I once again 
urge President Bush to reconsider his veto of the CHIP bill.

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