From The American Lung Association: Help Override the President's Veto on the SCHIP Bill

On Wednesday, October 3rd, President Bush vetoed the State Children's Health Insurance (SCHIP) bill, which used a 61-cent increase in the federal cigarette tax to pay for an expansion of health insurance for children. The Senate has the votes it needs to override the veto but the U.S. House of Representatives is 15 votes short of being able to override the Presidential veto. We need your help in urging your Member of Congress to override President Bush's veto.

Increasing the federal cigarette tax is a win-win for children's health: in addition to providing much-needed medical care for our nation's low-income, uninsured youth - including those living with lung diseases such as asthma - this substantial increase of $.61 will have the added benefit of reducing youth smoking.

Please take a moment to call your Representative in Congress. If you don't remember who your representative is, a visit to this website will tell you. Urge your Representative to vote to override the President's veto on the SCHIP bill.

Here are some talking points to get you started:

What's At Stake:

Calls to House of Representatives Regarding SCHIP and Veto Override

My name is XXX and I live in [CITY, STATE]. I'm calling today to urge Representative [NAME] to vote to override President Bush's veto of the SCHIP.
*The 61-cent increase in the cigarette tax will have a significant impact on public health and prevent kids from starting to smoke.
*Additional funds raised will mean that an additional 4 million kids – including those with lung diseases – will have health insurance.
*Increased spending on children's health insurance is a very sound investment in our nation's future, particularly for those children living with asthma.
*I hope the Representative will vote to protect kids and override the President's veto.
Thank you.

Don't have time to place a call? Send a letter - click the 'Take Action' button to send a letter to your Representative.

TAKE ACTION

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Your Congressperson


Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Please Vote to Override President's Bush Veto on SCHIP

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I am writing today to urge you to override President Bush's veto on the SCHIP bill, which will increase the federal cigarette tax by $.61 as a way to fund the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Program. Increasing the federal tobacco tax to pay for SCHIP is a win-win for children's health.

The 61-cent increase will have a significant impact on public health and prevent kids from starting to smoke. By substantially increasing the federal tobacco tax, tobacco use among children and adults can be reduced, saving lives and preventing the incidence of many chronic diseases, including asthma and other lung diseases.

Increased spending on children's health insurance is a very sound investment in our nation's future, particularly for those children living with asthma. A February 2006 study in the journal Pediatrics found that children with asthma who were enrolled in SCHIP had fewer asthma attacks and needed fewer medical visits.

I urge you to vote against President Bush's veto on this legislation and support an increase in the federal cigarette tax of $.61 cents to pay for SCHIP.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Campaign Expiration Date:
November 9, 2007
Please help.