Sebelius concerned after SCHIP call with feds;
Urges protection of children’s health insurance

Governor Kathleen Sebelius today spoke with Mike Leavitt, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to discuss the President’s veto of the reauthorization of the widely successful Children’s Health Insurance program for 6.6 million low income children. As it stands now the program will expire in November.

Speaking via conference call with Secretary Leavitt, Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Maggie Grant, and other governors, Governor Sebelius again expressed concern that by ignoring the overwhelming support for program, the President is poised to strip American children of their health coverage.

“In Kansas, through a collaborative effort between the state and private health insurance providers, we’ve been successful in covering thousands of children,” Sebelius said. “Unfortunately the White House has made it clear that they are ready to cancel the health insurance program and put these children back into the ranks of the uninsured.  At best, it’s a lack of understanding of how health insurance is administered to these kids; at worst, it’s immoral.”

The majority of Kansas’ Congressional delegation has voted in favor of the compromise bill, including Senator Pat Roberts, Congressman Dennis Moore, Congressman Jerry Moran and Congresswoman Nancy Boyda. Sebelius urges them to continue their vital support and vote to override the President’s veto.

“The President is not listening to governors, he’s not listening to the Senate and he’s not listening to Congress.

“That’s why I’m urging Kansans – especially health care providers, insurers, teachers, parents and others who strongly support providing health insurance to our children, to call on Senator Brownback and Congressman Tiahrt to vote to override the veto and ensure the reauthorization of this critical program,” Sebelius said.

“The override appears to be the only strategy to guarantee that this program continues.”

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