Catholic Ad critical of Knollenberg, McCotter, Walberg over S-CHIP

by: Gaspare

Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 11:42:14 AM EDT

Ad Campaign Criticizes Pro-Life Members of Congress for Voting against Children's Health Insurance

Washington, DC- Catholics United will launch a radio advertising campaign targeting ten members of Congress whose opposition to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) have compromised their pro-life voting records.

Joe's in the Detroit News Debate Section - front page no less

by: bfealk

Wed Oct 10, 2007 at 07:10:51 AM EDT

SCHIP Rally Tomorrow at GOP Presidential Debate in Dearborn

by: rchsdems

Mon Oct 08, 2007 at 16:19:53 PM EDT

The rally is intended to make all of the GOP candidates, GOP supporters and media aware of the need for guaranteed health care for all children in the nation, and that President Bush was completely wrong in vetoing this great bill.

The Congressman will be joined by supporters and friends, to help bring attention to this very necessary bill.

The event will be held at the Ford Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn.  The debate is sponsored by the University of Michigan-Dearborn and will be held at 1pm.  If you plan to attend the rally you may want to get there early as working your way through all of the Republican supporters who are being bussed in may take a while.

SCHIP: Michigan Primary Care Association issues Action Alert

by: Rosemary F

Thu Oct 04, 2007 at 22:11:59 PM EDT

Contact U.S. Legislators, Ask for Veto Override

October 3, 2007 - Just this morning, Pres. Bush vetoed the bipartisan bill presented to him by Congress that would have expanded health care coverage to 10 million children through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

The veto comes as no surprise, as Bush contends that the legislation to add $35 billion to the hugely successful program over the next five years is too costly and is a step toward government-run health care.

The bill now returns to Congress where members will vote to override or sustain Bush's veto.  A two-thirds majority in both chambers is needed to override the veto.  While the Senate approved the measure by enough votes to override it, the House is about two dozen votes short.

Please contact your U.S. lawmakers and urge them to stand up against Bush and stand by children.

It is especially important to contact the Michigan Representatives who voted against HR 976 to encourage them to do what is right to protect America's children.

Peter Hoekstra and George W. Bush hate children. (UPDATED!)

by: LisainManistee

Wed Oct 03, 2007 at 13:55:30 PM EDT

"Bush cast his veto behind closed doors without any fanfare or news coverage."

We only needed 15 Republicans to change their NAY votes to overrule bush's veto... My Congressman Pete Hoekstra was one of the Republicans in Congress that refused to change his vote. He refused to protect the 23,061 children living in MI-02 without healthcare! Let me repeat that:

PETER HOEKSTRA VOTED AGAINST 23,061 CHILDREN IN MICHIGAN'S 2nd U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT!!!

PETER HOEKSTRA HATES CHILDREN!!!

I will be standing on the corner of River Street and US 31 in Manistee, MI at 6:00pm tonight. I will be the one holding a sign questioning Hoekstra's heartless vote and bush's evil veto. Hopefully, I will not be standing there alone, but I will if I must. I am heartbroken by this veto and Hoekstra's vote.

I've spoken to people about Hoekstra's vote against SCHIP and heard:

So what? I've never even heard of SCHIP before.

And those people are right... Sort of.

It's true that we don't have SCHIP here in Michigan, but we do have MIChild, and MIChild gets funding from the Federal SCHIP program. No SCHIP funding means no MIChild funding.

And now for some non-budget news

by: lpackard

Mon Oct 01, 2007 at 14:07:50 PM EDT

The DCCC's "Putting Children First" campaign kicks off today with radio ads, robo calls, and e-mails. The radio ads began airing during drive time on Monday afternoon.  The initial ad buy is for one week. And two of the eight targets are Representatives Walberg and Knollenberg, here in Michigan.

Read more here (Chicago Tribune) and here (DCCC). Text of the ads and robocalls below the fold.

Contact your representative to urge them to override the President's veto and insure Michigan children.

Health Care for Poor Kids? The Terrorists Will Win!

by: kelster

Tue Sep 25, 2007 at 19:18:53 PM EDT

I was sad but not surprised to read that Rep. Mike Rogers tried yet again to block reauthorization for the State Childrens' Health Insurance Program.

Apparently, ol' FBI Guy found nefarious evidence of an earmark that wasn't "properly disclosed" and tried to bring the whole thing to a halt. The improperly disclosed earmark in question? It was $30 million in funding for Tennessee hospitals that provide a large percentage of care for low-income patients. Funny, that sounds vaguely related to health care for low-income kids...

Here's the kicker -- the same bill had a provision that would do a tremendous amount for Michigan:

Speaking on the floor today, Rep. Joe Barton, a Texas Republican, says the bill
includes what amounts to a $1.2 billion earmark for health care in Michigan over 10 years’ time.

The debate over SCHIP hits home

by: TheConversation

Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 10:35:44 AM EDT

If you've been listening to the presidential candidates on the trail or keeping up on the latest news from Washington, you've probably heard about the debate over expanding the SCHIP program - but it may not have raised any flags for you. That's because, in Michigan, SCHIP is known as MIChild.

During the 10 years that MiChild has been in place, its effect has been amazing....