Children enrolled in S-CHIP need stable health care, not partisan squabbling or failed compromises

The preamble of the U.S. Constitution reads, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union promote the general Welfare”

Apparently, President Bush has either never read these words, or he is trying to reinterpret that second part. The president showed his callous disregard for the well-being of the most vulnerable Americans recently, when he vetoed health insurance for children. Congress attempted to override it, but failed.

I’m a 17-year-old from Lewiston and a student at Lewiston High School. My health care has been covered by the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for the past three years. This program has allowed more than 6 million Americans under age 18, including myself, to receive quality healthcare. Primary and preventative health care are necessities, especially for children; but, unfortunately, the cost of even low-quality health care is more than many families can afford. S-CHIP covers this financial gap and I do not know what I would do without it’s help.

But thanks to the president’s veto and Congress’ failure to override, I must now entertain this scenario earlier than I anticipated. Although I would have lost my coverage eligibility on my eighteenth birthday in February, if S-CHIP is not re-authorized by Congress this fall, I and 6 million others could be immediately dropped.

So why must we face this frightening possibility? S-CHIP needs more funding to cover its current enrollees plus 4 million other children and teenagers like myself who need care.

Apparently, President Bush and others believed this is outrageous. But it sounds like President Bush needs a check-up, too. He played politics by holding the health insurance of 6 million kids hostage to prove a point. Covering the health care of 4 million additional children, he said, is a large step toward “socialized medicine.”

Allowing me to go to the doctor is not socialized medicine; it’s the way we should take care of each other in society. It’s worth investing in my generation. I, for instance, plan on repaying society twofold, but we need health care now if we want to be productive in the future.

I can’t understand why Congress and the president can spend $500 billion on a war opposed by a majority of Americans, but can’t agree on less than 8 percent of this amount on health insurance coverage for children. Nobody, not even the president, deserves the right to play games with lives of innocent children. We do not deserve this. Neither do our parents, who have to make tough decisions because of unaffordable health insurance.

I am personally asking Congress to send the S-CHIP reauthorization bill back to the president. And, to all of the Maine members of Congress, thank you for supporting S-CHIP and please hold your ground. This bill is bipartisan and enough compromise has been made already. Why compromise 10 million kids because of one presidential veto and a few Congressional holdouts?

Every compassionate American should support this program, and those who will champion it.

Adults of America, listen up: S-CHIP has allowed me to get regular checkups, preventative care, and allergy shots. This care has allowed me to be a healthier and more productive citizen and student. Many of the other 6 million children currently on SCHIP couldn’t survive without it. Then there are the 4 million others who have the hardest luck of us all because they need help, but can’t get it. We must not forget them; we must not compromise.

We must hold fast and override the veto.

I say “we,” but I should be saying “you.” You, the Congress, and you, their adult constituents – the kids of America need you to stand up for us, because we can’t vote.

But rest assured, if your generations cannot find a solution, mine will – and it won’t just be for children, but for all Americans.

Josh Gagne is a senior at Lewiston High School.