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"The proposed federal budget unveiled today (Feb. 5) by President
Bush would seriously hamper the efforts of Illinois and other states
across the country as we try to help working and middle-class
families get ahead. At a time when Illinois is making great progress
in expanding access to health care, making our communities safer and
investing more in our public schools, President Bush is proposing a
budget that cuts funding for these critical areas so that he can
provide permanent tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans and invest
more in the escalating war in Iraq. "President Bush's health care
proposals represent, at best, another lost opportunity and, at
worst, an approach that will dismantle coverage for millions of
seniors, children and working families. The president's plan reduces
flexibility and cuts federal support in the very areas that have
enabled states to launch innovative programs like All Kids. He would
shift an even greater share of costs and risks to businesses,
working families, states and health care providers, and do so
without significantly addressing the plight of the uninsured from
the federal level.
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"In the weeks and months ahead, I will work closely with my fellow
governors and the Illinois congressional delegation to stop
President Bush's efforts to finance a war and tax breaks for the
rich on the backs of the middle class."
(Text
copied from file received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information)
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