Schip On Way To Veto

Hey folks,

Here is another classic example that there are two worlds out there. One of the sane and what is reality, and the other of that which IS the LWL. {Left Wing Looneys for those who need a little further help in understanding.}

Yesterday, the National Center for Policy Analysis warned about the upcoming vote on Schip. I guess is now pronounced S-Chip, or just Chip now, since some were calling it the Shi,, program you get the point. NCPA warned this expansion will be costly for children, seniors and the poor. They said it was Robinhood in reverse.

As both chambers of Congress prepare to vote on the expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), the National Center for Policy Analysis notes this expansion will be costly for children, seniors and the poor.

"Congress wants to tax the poor to pay for a benefit for the middle-class," says NCPA President John Goodman. "Congress should instead focus on getting more people access to private insurance."

The House-Senate conference report would expand eligibility to children in families with incomes up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or $62,000 for a family of four. The bill would increase spending by $35 billion over five years, funding in large part to a $0.61 increase in the tobacco tax.

Yet SCHIP expansion would do little to increase enrollment among children who are already eligible, and most of the additional children are already covered by private insurance. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), of the children who are uninsured for an entire year:

-- More than one million children currently qualify for public coverage but are not enrolled.

-- Another 1.1 million do not qualify because they are illegal (or temporary) immigrants.

-- About 403,000 are income-eligible immigrants who have not been legal residents long enough to qualify for Medicaid benefits.

-- In families earning 200 percent to 300 percent of the poverty-level income, 77 percent of children already have private coverage, according to the CBO.

-- In families earning 300 percent of poverty, 90 percent of children are already covered by private health insurance.

Recent research suggests an average of 60 percent of the kids will have dropped private coverage to enroll in S-CHIP.

An increase in the tobacco tax disproportionately impacts the poor. In addition, there are other, non-monetary costs that have to be taken into account. For example, Children will have less access to health care because most SCHIP enrollees experience restrictions to care not felt by children enrolled in private insurance plans.

The NCPA is an internationally known nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute with offices in Dallas and Washington, D. C. that advocates private solutions to public policy problems. We depend on the contributions of individuals, corporations and foundations that share our mission. The NCPA accepts no government grants.

For more information, check them out, NCPA.

This is reality. Even the President warned about this. He said,

“Instead of working with my Administration to enact this funding increase for children's health, Democrats in Congress have decided to pass a bill they know will be vetoed. One of their leaders has even said such a veto would be a "political victory." As if this weren't irresponsible enough, Congress is waiting until the SCHIP program is just about to expire before passing a final bill. In other words, Members of Congress are risking health coverage for poor children purely to make a political point.

The proposal congressional leaders are pushing would raise taxes on working Americans and would raise spending by $35 to $50 billion. Their proposal would result in taking a program meant to help poor children and turning it into one that covers children in some households with incomes of up to $83,000 a year. And their proposal would move millions of children who now have private health insurance into government-run health care. Our goal should be to move children who have no health insurance to private coverage -- not to move children who already have private health insurance to government coverage.”

He is right. For failing to pass a bill they know he would sign, the voted to pass a bill they KNOW he will veto. Also like he said, “Members of Congress are risking health coverage for poor children purely to make a political point.” But we should be use to that. They do the same thing with our men and women in uniform.

So after the vote. Traitor and LWL member, the Speaker of the House gave her version of “reality.” On the House floor, she said this.

"Tonight is a bipartisan victory for America's children and families.

10 million. That is how many reasons there are to support this bipartisan CHIP legislation. 10 million American children will receive CHIP health coverage under this bill thanks to the efforts of our outstanding chairmen, John Dingell, Charlie Rangel and Frank Pallone.

I also want to thank Congressman Ray LaHood for his courageous support for this legislation. The CHIP bill is another addition to Congressman LaHood's record of bipartisan compromise.

Our House colleagues worked in true bipartisan fashion with members of the Senate: Finance Chairman Max Baucus, and Senators Charles Grassley, Jay Rockefeller and Orrin Hatch. They proved that even when some attempt to interject partisan politics into practical issues, serious legislators can still forge bipartisan compromise.

Earlier today, I met with a mother and daughter who understand the critical role CHIP health coverage.

Three years ago, a young girl named Gemma Frost, her older brother Graeme, and their mother, Bonnie, were involved in a horrible automobile accident that left the two children with traumatic brain injuries.

Gemma and Graeme's injuries were more than any child should have to bear. Thankfully, these children received the very best of American health care and continue their recovery. The health care they received was made possible by CHIP, the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

With the help of CHIP coverage, the Frost family had the security of knowing, even in a time of family tragedy, that Gemma and Graeme had access to the care they required.

The legislation before the House will secure coverage for Gemma and Graeme Frost, and for 10 million other children. "And this bipartisan bill is fully paid for - no new deficit spending.

That is why this legislation has such bipartisan support in the Congress and among our nation's governors. The CHIP bill is supported by a coalition of 270 groups ranging from the AARP to the YMCA, representing millions of Americans.

I am disappointed that the President has issued a veto threat against a bill that has so much bipartisan - indeed non-partisan - support. "The President is wrong when he says Democrats want a political victory. What we want is a bipartisan bill that provides health care to 10 million of America's children. It is a goal supported by all Americans, regardless of party. I hope the President will reconsider his veto threat and sign this legislation for Gemma and Graeme Frost, and millions of children across the country.

I urge a strong, bipartisan vote in support of health care for America's children and in favor of the bill."

{Sigh} This is a step, as I have pointed out to you, in a move toward Government Healthcare. The so called Universal Healthcare Utopia. The President even said so. This is a BAD bill. It NEEDS to be vetoed.
Peter

Sources:
Office of the Speaker of The House
NCPA -Robinhood in Reverse
OPNTalk-Presidential Radio Address 092207