Oklahoma City Vigil To Save Children’s Health Care

SCHIP Veto Override flyer for Oklahoma (PDF) Local parents and kids will call on Representatives Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas to vote this Thursday to override President Bush’s veto of children’s health care

As billions are spent In Iraq, Rep. Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas voted with Bush to block health care for 127,000 uninsured kids in Oklahoma.

[Oklahoma City, OK] – On Tuesday, October 16, at 7:00 p.m., local parents and kids will hold a “Vigil to Save Children’s Health Care” in front of the Oklahoma Republican Headquarters. They will urge Representatives Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas to vote this Thursday to override President Bush’s veto of expanded health care coverage for millions of kids, including 58,200 additional kids in Oklahoma. Dan Boren (D) voted against it, but has stated that he will be voting to override Bush’s veto. Hundreds of events are happening around the nation, including a rally that will take place the next day, October 17th, at 12 noon on the State Capitol South Steps to Override the SCHIP Veto.
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The Democratic Congress recently passed the “Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act.” Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas all voted against this bill, which would ensure that millions of children have health insurance and can see a doctor when sick. President Bush vetoed the bill this month.

“As President Bush spends billions in Iraq, he’s blocking health care for our kids back home,” said Reggie Cervantes, 9-11 rescue worker featured in the movie SICKO, mother and resident of Oklahoma City. “Our Representatives in Congress, Fallin, Cole, Sullivan and Lucas must all override President Bush’s veto and stand up for Oklahoma kids so they can see a doctor when sick.”

This legislation passed the House on September 25, by a 265 to 159 vote -- approximately 290 votes are needed to override a veto. It passed the Senate September 27 with a 67-29 veto-proof majority.

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll reveals 72 percent of Americans support the Democrats’ proposed $35 billion for children’s health care, including 61% of Republicans. The poll also shows Americans trust Democrats over Republicans on health care by 56% to 26%.

Who: Parents and kids from Oklahoma, members of MoveOn.org and Oklahoma concerned citizens.
What: Vigil to Save Children’s Health Care
Where: OK Republican Headquarters, 4031 N. Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
When: Tuesday, October 16th, 7:00 PM

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Vote count on the Democratic “Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act” are here:
House: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll906.xml
Senate: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3022

Children affected by state:
http://pol.moveon.org/childrenshealth/numbers.pdf
Washington Post-ABC News Poll:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_100107.html

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