Doherty Challenges McCaul to Stand with Texas Families and Override the President's Veto

Dear Mr. McCaul,

Tomorrow, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote again to override the President’s veto of SCHIP, giving you a second chance to do what’s right for over 300,000 low-income children in Texas.

Health care costs are rising.  The economy is stagnating.  It hasn't escaped the attention of the voters I'm talking to that you'll jump for the one Texan who lives on Pennsylvania  Avenue, while you turn a cold shoulder to thousands of Texas families back home.

HR 3963 was passed by large majorities in both the House and the Senate.  You’ve shown your support for George Bush, now it’s time to show your support for all Texans.  Supporting access to healthcare is the right thing to do for Texas children, and make no mistake about it, SCHIP saves money — money for families, money for businesses, and it saves taxpayers money as well.  If you are unwilling to vote with your heart, then please vote with Texas taxpayers’ wallets in mind:

• When children aren’t able to see a doctor regularly, they are forced to rely on emergency care when they become sick.  Not only does this force parents to miss work but this also drives up health care premiums and forces Texans to shoulder the costs with higher property taxes.

• Small businesses are caught in a catch 22.  On the one hand, health care costs are too expensive for them to recruit the employees they need.  On the other hand, those that do not provide health insurance often lose productivity when employees’ children are sick. SCHIP is critical to small business, especially to those in the service industry.

• Access to healthcare in rural areas is a serious issue. Without federal support for Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP, we risk losing what few doctors we have.

Mr. McCaul, tomorrow’s your chance to show you are more than a rubberstamp for George Bush’s failed policies.  I urge you to listen to the majority of your colleagues, listen to fellow Texans back home, and vote to override the President’s veto of SCHIP.

Sincerely,

Larry Joe Doherty