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October 18, 2007Despite Bipartisan Congressional Support, SCHIP Override Vote Fails |
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From American Dental Education Association: An attempt by the U.S. House of Representatives to override President Bush's veto of a bill reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) failed today by a vote of 273 to 156. The bill, which the Senate previously had approved by a veto-proof margin, contained significant dental provisions. "The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is grateful to members of Congress for their bipartisan support of the SCHIP bill. Clearly, a majority in Congress understands the need to stabilize access to dental care for children by establishing a federal dental benefit in the SCHIP program. Oral health advocates, including ADEA, worked with supporters in Congress to include for the first time dental coverage in the bill. Congressional supporters of the SCHIP reauthorization bill must now negotiate with the White House to craft a compromise. It remains unclear at this time whether the dental provisions included in the original legislation will be part of the compromise bill. The dental benefits included in the SCHIP bill undoubtedly would have improved access to oral health care for millions of low-income children in working families who do not qualify for Medicaid," said ADEA Executive Director Richard W. Valachovic, D.M.D., M.P.H. "We will continue our grassroots advocacy efforts to persuade the President and Congress to include them in the final version," added Dr. Valachovic. For more information about ADEA's advocacy efforts, go to www.adea.org/CPPA_Materials.
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