Hey AMSA.....Please see the email below from Anne O'Connor, our  

Legislative Affairs Director:







On Wednesday President Bush vetoed the State Children's Health  

Insurance Program reauthorization bill that passed the house and  

senate both with a good majority. Although the senate has enough  

votes to override, the house is still short about 14 votes. Several  

congresspeople abstained from voting or voted no because they thought  

the original bill did not go far enough to cover kids, and it is  

expected that several of the 14 votes will be picked up when these  

representatives change their no votes to yes votes on October 18th.  

However, in order for S-CHIP to pass, ordinary people like us have to  

win over at least a few republicans who are still intending to vote  

against the bill. In Minnesota we are fortunate enough to have two  

such representatives - Michele Bachman of Minnesota's 6th district  

and John Kline of Minnesota's 2nd district (District maps attached-  

note that both St. Olaf and Carlton are in the 2nd district, so  

please contact anyone you know at these schools). These  

representatives will be most responsive to their constituents, so if  

you live or vote in these districts, please consider picking up the  

phone and letting them know it is unacceptable to deny access to  

health care to any kid. I have attached a letter put together by AMSA  

that you can use as talking points. Remember, a phone call really  

does have much more impact than an e-mail. Also, if your  

congressperson did vote for the bill, it can't hurt to give them a  

call to say thank you. Make sure you identify yourself as a medical  

student - it makes a difference!



Attached is a list of our elected officials in congress and their  

contact details. I know it doesn't seem like one phone call will  

change a politician's mind, but if even half a dozen medical students  

call demanding better treatment for all America's children, they will  

perk up and listen. And please forward this e-mail on to your non- 

AMSA friends who you think might want to help.



Thanks so much for your time and support!

Anne O'Connor

AMSA Legislative Affairs Director (U of M Chapter)

Pediatric Interest Group Vice-President



P.S. Tell Your Friends!





















Rhamy Magid

MS2

University of Minnesota Medical School