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Bush Administration's New Children's Health Care Proposal Risky and Irresponsible

August 21, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC – Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Diana DeGette(D-CO) today blasted the Bush Administration for adopting new standardsthat would make it much more difficult for states to extend healthcoverage to children in middle-income families under the StateChildren's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

"The BushAdministration's new policy continues to jeopardize the health care ofmillions of American children," said DeGette. "This risky andirresponsible proposal by the Administration will not only close thedoor on states providing health coverage to children, but will resultin kids being kicked off the current health care coverage rolls. Ahighly restrictive state-federal government partnership on children'shealth does not achieve our goal of providing health care to thosechildren eligible yet not currently enrolled in the program.

"Congressis moving in a new direction by making kid's health care a priority.Bracing for a fight with Congress, the Bush Administration hasresponded by picking a fight with America's kids."