Victory: Congress passes children’s health care

08/03/2007

Dear DFLers,

We wanted to make sure you heard the good news: Congress has passed the biggest expansion of health care in 40 years, guaranteeing health care to millions of uninsured children.1


The New York Times writes:


The bill embodies the Democrats' vision for health care, taking a step toward the goal of universal coverage while reversing what they see as Republican efforts to "privatize Medicare."2


More than 200,000 of us signed the petition asking Congress to bring us closer to affordable health care for everyone. Together, we made over 3,600 phone calls to key members of Congress who were on the fence. But we didn't do it alone: Dozens of groups have led the fight for children's health care—the Service Employees International Union, Families USA, and the Campaign for America's Future to name a few.

President Bush has promised to veto the bill, even though the Senate vote would be enough to override a veto for the first time in Bush's history.1 Even Republican governors are calling Bush "oblivious to the political risks" of a veto.3

Stay tuned as we take the fight to the White House. But today, let's celebrate—our campaign for affordable health care for everyone is off and running.

Thanks for all you do.

–Noah, Matt, Joan, Laura, and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team
Friday, August 3rd, 2007

Sources:

1. "House Passes Children's Health Plan 225-204," New York Times, August 1, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=2860&id=10904-8415425-wHyiEL&t=1

2. "Senate OKs Wider Kids' Health Program," Associated Press, August 2, 2007
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=116&sid=1206298

3. "Children's Health Plan Focus of New Struggle," New York Times, August 1, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=2862&id=10904-8415425-wHyiEL&t=2