Baron Hill: Override SCHIP Veto

by: BrianK

Thu Oct 11, 2007 at 15:48:30 PM EDT

Baron Hill (IN-09), who originally voted against the SCHIP expansion, has announced his intention to vote to override the President's veto.

Let's congratulate Baron Hill, and give him all the encouragement he can get!

  * Jeffersonville Office
  phone is (812) 288-3999
  (toll-free number) is 1-866-440-1321
  fax is (812) 288-3873

  * Bloomington Office
  phone is (812) 336-3000
  fax is (812) 336-3355

  * Washington office
  phone is (202) 225-5315
  fax is (202) 226-6866

This is a tremendous event, regardless of the outcome. There is no doubt that the number of phone calls, emails, faxes, and in-person visits to his offices was a huge factor in this decision. Progressive activists, the Party, and the majority of Americans were working in the same direction toward a common goal. Lobbyist money can't compete with true grassroots activism, especially when it's combined with some institutional support.

This is a victory to hold onto.

Full text of Baron Hill's letter after the jump.

Dear Brian, 

Last week the President vetoed H.R. 976, The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007.  I am disappointed that a more balanced State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill was not put forth.  As such, I strongly implore the President and Democratic Leadership to work together to craft a bill that ensures equitable benefits for all states, as well as an expansion of the program.

From the very start of this debate, I have been fighting to ensure that Indiana receives its fair share of government funding. For far too long, Hoosiers have been major contributors to the federal government without receiving an equitable share of the benefits. We've seen this time and time again in the areas of transportation and housing funds. As your elected representative, I will fight to protect all of our precious resources, and that includes the tax dollars of my constituents. Our nation will never truly move toward real change and reform if the mechanisms in place to fund those reforms are not solid and equitable to those paying for them.

However, providing healthcare for our nation's children is simply too important to abandon. Therefore, even though I know the veto will be upheld, I will vote to override the President's veto in an effort to again show my support for the program and desire to move towards a fairer bill.

I want to once again be very clear that I fully support the SCHIP program. Guaranteeing access to health insurance for all children is not only a worthy goal, but it is the right thing to do. In fact, I have consistently supported the SCHIP program during my previous terms in Congress, and recently voted to reauthorize the program through November 16th of this year.

We must not lose sight of the fact that the longer this issue remains unresolved, 4 million children will continue without access to health insurance. As this process moves forward, I will continue to push for changes to the bill that addresses my concerns.

Sincerely,

Representative Baron P. Hill
Ninth District of Indiana
U.S. House of Representatives