S-CHIP

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program is in the news. To me it's a reasonable program to help people who are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid but don't have insurance from their employer and just can't afford it on their own. The shameless attacks by some conservative bloggers on the families that dared to tell how the program helped their situation is another story covered elsewhere.

Congressmen Kanjorski and Carney voted for the bill. Isn't that a surprise, Chris Carney voted like a Democrat as he always does on economic issues. We have our differences on the Iraq mess but Chris is a much better Congressman than the last automaton. He comes out swinging on this one and rips the Bush veto:


“We cannot lose health coverage for 10 million children without a fight”


“This was an unconscionable act by the President. Since it was created in 1997, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) has always received strong bipartisan support.

Over the last ten years, the children’s health program has proven to be a popular, successful program – with 6 million children now enrolled in the program.

“It costs less than $3.50 a day to cover a child through the Children’s Health Insurance program. Insuring kids is also cost-effective for taxpayers who pick up the tab for indigent care in emergency rooms – the most expensive way to care for a child’s health – as well as because a healthy child is more likely to succeed in education and life.


“The President’s unconscionable veto of this bipartisan, fiscally responsible legislation –supported by strong majorities in the House and Senate, 43 governors, industry groups and the American people –demonstrates a complete lack of compassion for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.


“Mr. President, you sent our troops to Iraq without a plan, you’re drive up our debt so that our grandchildren will be paying it off, but you can’t sign bipartisan legislation to provide health care to children? This is truly an unacceptable act, and I cannot support it.”




I've asked the Republican 10th CD candidates for a comment on this issue but I don't have all of their email addresses. Help me out people.

Update: I've emailed Hackett, Meuser, Ely and Swiderski asking for their thoughts. No response from any of them yet. I'm still looking for an email address for John Scott.

And there is this from Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) She asks What Has President Bush Done for Healthcare for America’s Kids? I hope you watch it because it is so powerful because because of what she doesn't say. If this speech was given anywhere but Congress it would have brought the house down.