Zack Space Gearing Up For A Fight Over S-CHIP Veto Threats

Earlier today Rep. Zack Space held a conference call with reporters to once again voice his support for extending the S-CHIP Act. During the call Space discussed the new bipartisan compromise on S-Chip that will be voted on later today and the threat by President Bush to veto the bill.

The S-CHIP Act provides health insurance to children in families that don't meet the requirements for Medicare but aren't able to buy insurance and is funded by a $.61/pack cigarette tax. A study by Brigham Young and Arizona State universities found that dropping S-CHIP would cost states $2,121 more per child each year due to an increase in emergency room visits.

While writing this post I received an email from the ODP urging Ohioans to call their Representatives and urge them to support this program. They also have an online petition.

Update: Here's the audio I promised. The compromise bill mentioned in the post passed by a vote of 256-159.