Sister Carol Keehan, DC, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), issued the following statement:

Yesterday's vote in the Senate to approve the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act was a great victory for those who have worked so hard to extend health coverage to millions of our nation's low-income children. More importantly, it is a great victory for the children themselves.

As we continue working to eradicate the national disgrace of nearly nine million uninsured children in the United States, we in the Catholic health ministry want to thank all those who have worked so hard to achieve these legislative milestones. And we pledge once again to continue our efforts toward the goal of ensuring that the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) will be able to provide coverage for those it was established to serve.

We now urge lawmakers to move forward quickly to produce a final bill for the President's signature. And we hope that this overwhelming and bipartisan vote in favor of reauthorization will help change hearts and minds within the Administration. Congress and the American public clearly stand behind SCHIP, and President Bush should too, by setting aside his veto threat. The time for partisan bickering is over-it is now time for united support on behalf of children's health coverage and a more solid foundation for our nation's future.

The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), founded in 1915, supports the Catholic health ministry's pursuit of the strategic directions of mission, ethics, and advocacy. As the nation's largest group of not-for-profit sponsors, systems, and facilities, the ministry is committed to improving the health status of communities and creating quality and compassionate health care that works for everyone. For more information, visit the CHA website at .