The Washington Post seems to think the SCHIP issue is going to affect the 2008 elections for President of the United States.? What do you think?? Seems kind of obvious, but they have to write about something.
It is believed that President Bush will discuss his concerns with the Democrats’ proposal for a $35 billion increase in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program during a news conference this morning.? As we have been reporting, Bush plans to veto the bill in its current state.? What he wants instead is a proposal? containing a? simple extension of the existing program, not a proposal to more than double what is already in place.
According to the New York Times, the White House has denied New York state permission to provide additional health? insurance coverage to children in the state.? Essentially the state wanted to raise the income threshold level for the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) from? $51,000/year to $82,000/year for a family of four.? The White House certainly has its reasons for its actions? and New York has its reasons for disappointment.? Be sure to check out the NY Times article for more information.
As always, this is an important development for parents and specifically for those in New York.? We will continue to follow the story and provide updates as they become available.
Congress has proposed a 61 cent tax increase on the price of cigarettes aimed to fund the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.? The program is set to expire in September and currently insures 7.1 million people.? As of right now, there is a 39 cent tax on cigarettes and the proposal would move that number to $1 overall.? This proposed measure should add $50 billion dollars to the CHIP’s budget raising it to $75 billion overall.? The White House has already stated that President Bush will likely veto the bill.? This will derail six months of bipartisan negotiations that have created this proposed legislation.
What are your thoughts on this situation?? Should President Bush veto this child health insurance bill?
For further reading you can refer to The Washington Post, The New York Times, and/or The Cincinnati Post.
The Kansas City Star ran another piece regarding the debate over the renewal of child insurance legislation that is responsible for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.? In this particular opinion piece the author believes that Bush should not stand in the way of this legislation.
What do you think?
On July 24th there was a good article about child insurance in the Kansas City Star.? It focused on Congress’s struggle with insurance for kids, in particular the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).? According to this article, 6 million children per year rely on CHIP coverage in their particular state.? The problem here is that Congressmen are undecided as to what to do with the program.? I have three children of my own and am lucky enough to have insurance, but if I didn’t then I know I would be grateful for anything the government could provide.? Take a look at the article and see what you think.? Feel free to add comments below.