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WHEREAS, many parents in Pittsburgh with jobs and a steady pay check do not earn enough money to make ends meet; and,
WHEREAS, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is not a hand out but rather a way to make sure every child may obtain the immunizations, routine dental care and emergency health care they need; and,
WHEREAS, SCHIP helps Pennsylvania children whose parents work hard and play
by the rules - 301,000 children are still uninsured; and,
WHEREAS, many hard-working Pittsburgh families, who are living without health coverage, are forced to skip the regular checkups and doctor visits their children need; and,
WHEREAS, too often skipping these checkups and doctor's visits leads to unnecessary suffering, avoidable complications, and consequent trips to the emergency room, which ultimately costs the City of Pittsburgh and the State of Pennsylvania more money in the long run; and,
WHEREAS, the United States House of Representatives has voted to allocate 50 billion dollars to SCHIP, and the United States Senate has approved 35 billion dollars, both chambers are currently in conference committee to reach consensus on the level of SCHIP funding for the next fiscal year.
NOW, THEREFORE LET IT BE resolved that the Pittsburgh City Council urges both Senator Specter and Senator Casey to support 50 billion dollars in State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funding to guarantee health care for the children of hard working Pennsylvania families.