BECK: SCHIP VETO DEMANDS STATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION

Saying that actions speak louder than words, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck today called for the Legislature to reconvene in Trenton to identify State resources, through spending reductions and reprioritization of budget items, to provide interim funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) should President Bush and Congress fail to enact the necessary legislation before federal funding expires.

Senate President Richard Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts recently sent to members of the Assembly Republican caucus asking members to lobby the President and Congress to provide additional federal funding for SCHIP.  Beck noted that while she appreciates their efforts, she said letter writing isn’t enough.

“It is disheartening that President Bush vetoed this vital piece of legislation. SCHIP provides essential funding for New Jersey FamilyCare which provides healthcare coverage for many of our state’s most vulnerable citizens, our children,” explained Beck, R-Monmouth and Mercer.

“We may have lost a battle, but that doesn’t mean we lost the war. If we work together in the spirit of bipartisanship, the Legislature could identify available State funding sources necessary to keep this vital program running.  By working together, we can prevent a lapse in health coverage for New Jersey’s children,” Beck said. 

Beck added that state lawmakers can fulfill their responsibility to fund children’s healthcare by redirecting funds from lower priority spending, including some of the nearly $350 million allocated for pork projects in the current State budget.

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