CHAMP-ioning Our Children

by   |  August 02, 2007

We did it! The House approved expanding heath care for children and protecting Medicare for seniors! In the last two weeks, nearly 10,000 AFSCME members called and emailed Congress urging them to expand health care for children and protect Medicare for seniors. They listened. Last night, the U.S. House passed the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act of 2007, 225-204. CHAMP will insure millions of poor children in America. The House bill will also scale back the so-called Medicare Advantage program, a scheme to privatize Medicare. According to today’s New York Times: “Over angry Republican objections, the House on Wednesday passed a sweeping expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, financed with increases in tobacco taxes and cuts in subsidies to private Medicare insurance plans for older Americans. The bill embodies the Democrats’ vision for health care, taking a step toward the goal of universal coverage while reversing what they see as Republican efforts to ‘privatize Medicare’.” These votes are proof that when AFSCME members fight, we win. Unfortunately, our work is not yet done. George Bush says he will oppose providing more kids in need with the health insurance coverage they deserve.