Dear Friend,

Today, I will vote, once again, to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Now, once again, President Bush must ask himself, "Will I turn my back on 10 million children across America?"

The American people have spoken. We heard you and that is why Congress is sending this bill back to President Bush. Now I need your help to make sure he hears you loud and clear.

Click here to email President Bush. Tell him to sign the bill to reauthorize SCHIP today!

I was deeply disappointed when President Bush first vetoed the bipartisan legislation to reauthorize SCHIP.  Our nation should provide the poorest of our children with health insurance.

In an average month, 11,000 children in South Dakota are enrolled in SCHIP. However, another 18,000 of South Dakota's children are uninsured with as many as 12,000 of them eligible for SCHIP but unable to access the program because of a lack of funds.

I need your help to remind the President that health insurance for these children is not wasteful spending.  It's smart fiscal policy too. Giving kids health insurance at an early age will save money down the line.

Please send a message to George W. Bush: Do the right thing. Reauthorize health insurance for millions of children today!

The U.S. Congress has crafted another bipartisan bill to provide health insurance to children eligible for SCHIP.  Our children's health is too important to jeopardize by failing to reauthorize this effective program.

Sincerely,

Tim Johnson

U.S. Senator