WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) issued the following statement today after President Bush`s unsupportive comments about efforts to improve the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
"I find it impossible to believe that President Bush intends to stand between poor children and quality health care. Hopefully, this is only a momentary departure from reason and compassion.
"During his reelection campaign in 2004 the President said he was committed to giving America`s children ‘a healthy start in life.’ Today, he went back on that promise when he said Democrats want to `federalize medicine` by expanding the successful Children`s Health Insurance Program to cover millions of children.
"I can`t for the life of me understand why at this historic moment the President is deciding to play politics. We should not attempt to use children as political pawns. Expanding the Children`s Health Insurance Program is good health policy and I hope the President will look at it as good national policy as well."
