Today, the Senate passed a State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) reauthorization bill that fails to focus on poor children, and instead creates a new entitlement program for higher income households. In fact, the bill specifically eliminates the requirement that states enroll 95% of children in households under 200% of the federal poverty level.When the bill passed the House, it did not do so with enough votes to sustain a veto in that body. I would expect that the Democrats would want to put it up for another vote, just to increase the pressure "for the children." This issue is just too easy to demagogue, they won't give up that opportunity.
The President will veto this bill because it directs scarce funding to higher incomes at the expense of poor families.
We encourage Congress to send the President a continuing resolution extending SCHIP so coverage for the children who rely on the program will not be threatened. We should take this time to arrive at a more rational, bipartisan SCHIP reauthorization bill that focuses on children in poor families who don't currently have insurance, rather than raising taxes to cover people who already have private insurance.
On the merits of the bill, I'm with the president completely. If the politicians want to do something to help working class families around health care, how about full tax credits for health care? How about coming up with a comprehensive solution to the portability problem? In my opinion this is all about fixing a problem that largely does not exist for the opportunity to beat your political opponent about the head and neck.
Pass SCHIP as it was last year and move on to a real issue.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. If the Republicans refuse to override Bush's veto, I hope the Democrats use this vote against ther Republicans in the upcoming elections in 2008. The Democrats have tried to pass some meaningful legislation while the Repubicans have refuse to help pass these bills. These issues are meaningful to the American middle class. A few years ago, Bush and his rubber stamp Congress tried to use the "gay rights amendment" as an issue to use aghainst the Democrats in an election. So, its wedge issues versus pocket book issues.
Republicans are Fools at 8:57AM on Sep 29th 2007
2. Bush just vetoed the bill
David McCool at 5:13PM on Oct 3rd 2007
3. I hope the American voters remember this in the upcoming elections. Any Republican who does not vote to override the veto should be targeted. They should realize that the American people do not want them to rubber stamp anything Bush believes in and wants.
Republicans are Fools at 9:26AM on Oct 4th 2007
4. Bush has the right idea to veto this bill because schip is for low income children not the ones that have parents that make $85000.00 a year.
Peg at 9:24PM on Oct 4th 2007
5. So by the look of things according to the Democrats this is a political move?ha,ha,ha,ha,hi,hi,hi,hoo,ho,ho,,,,.This isn't real? oh my,I mean these people are lying to the poor childrens of America.What kind of act is this not a stunt isn't it or a comedy.Why now all of a sudden childrens are in the show,whoo,ho,ho,.Hey childrens watch your piggy banks.
True Truth at 3:29AM on Oct 5th 2007
6. The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This is Title XXI of the Social Security Act and is jointly financed by the Federal and State governments and administered by the States. Within broad Federal guidelines, each State determines the design of its program, eligibility groups, benefit packages, payment levels for coverage, and administrative and operating procedures. SCHIP provides a capped amount of funds to States on a matching basis for Federal fiscal years (FY) 1998 through 2007. Federal payments under title XXI to States are based on State expenditures under approved plans effective on or after October 1, 1997.
Check out a nice video on SCHIP at:
http://www.rxpop.com/supports_schip.asp
William Hill at 7:30AM on Dec 22nd 2007