By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Service Employees International Union 1199 is calling on two local GOP Congressmen to override President Bush's veto a bill for the Children's Health Insurance program.
The program provides health care coverage to millions of children whose parents can not afford it. In New York, the SEIU has launched a six figure broadcast campaign. Part of it is aimed at two Western New York Congressmen, Randy Kuhl and Tom Reynolds.
SEIU 1199 says in New York State alone 400,000 children fall under the health care program.
George Greshman is president of 1199 in New York. He says too many families are unable to provide health care for their children.
SEIU Area Director George Kennedy says Reynolds and Kuhl were the only members of the New York State delegation who voted against the program.
But a spokesman for Reynolds tells WBFO New that the Congressman "supports extending" the program. In a news release, Reynolds says what he voted against was a bill proposed by House Democrats that would expand health care coverage beyond low-income children.
He says that bill called to provide coverage to illegal immigrants and even families earning more than $80,000. Reynolds says give him a reasonable bill that provides health insurance for the neediest children and he will vote yes.
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