Bush Budget Hits Our Most Vulnerable Populations

Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who is CHA president and CEO, said the budget proposals outlined by Bush “simply do not rise to the challenge of helping to improve our nation’s health care system.”Sister Carol also said the proposed cuts to Medicaid and Medicare “would only hinder the ability of hospitals to care for low-income and other vulnerable populations.”

“It is particularly disappointing that the administration did not take advantage of the required reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program this year to propose measures to expand the program to the nearly 9 million children who remain uninsured,” she said in a statement.

“Given the focus on SCHIP, as well as the glaring moral failure of allowing any child in our nation to go without access to health care, the Catholic health ministry strongly believes that today we enjoy a unique opportunity to make coverage for all children a priority and a reality,” she added.

“Balancing the budget is a notable and worthwhile goal,” she said. “But as a reflection of our nation’s values and priorities, no budget should be based on sacrifices from those least able to afford them, nor should it squander the real opportunity we have at this time to expand access to health care.”