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Clergy: Stand up for poor children
We are approaching the 11th hour in the fight to expand health care for our nation's most vulnerable children. The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provides health care for millions of low-income children, is expiring next month. A bill recently passed by the Senate and House would expand SCHIP funding and coverage, but President Bush has threatened to veto any expansion of SCHIP, based on the misleading argument that it would encourage children already covered privately to shift to public care.
Our partner organization PICO, which has been leading a grassroots campaign to extend SCHIP, is organizing a clergy petition to Congress and President Bush. If you're a clergy person, please fill out the form to sign on. If not, please send a message to your pastor asking him or her to do so.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Support SCHIP
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Dear President Bush,
As faith communities spanning the major American religious traditions, we are dismayed and deeply disappointed that you have threatened to veto legislation designed to improve the health of our nation's children. With children headed back to school and SCHIP set to expire on September 30, people in congregations across the country are asking why the President would go out of his way to block an effort to cover uninsured children.
Read the full text at http://www.piconetwork.org/clergy-letter-to-president.html.
Dear Congressional Leaders,
As religious leaders we believe that adults have a sacred obligation to protect children. Ten years ago, when Republican and Democratic leaders came together to create the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), they bestowed a blessing on America's children and families. Since 1997, SCHIP has provided millions of children with a healthy start in life and the hope of a better future. Now Congress and the President must finish the job for America's children by approving a strong $50 billion SCHIP reauthorization.
Read the full text at http://www.piconetwork.org/clergy-letter-to-congress.html.
Signed by:
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Campaign Launched:
August 30, 2007
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