Senate Passes Children's Health Plan

Democrats, Republicans Unite To Boost Insurance Program, Defying Bush Veto Threat

(AP)  The Senate passed legislation Thursday to add 3 million lower-income children to a popular health insurance program in bipartisan defiance of President Bush's threatened veto.

The 68-31 vote, one day after the House passed a more ambitious and expensive version over bitter Republican opposition, handed Democrats a solid achievement to trumpet as they leave Washington for a summer break.

It also gave Democrats, who secured a veto-proof margin, a chance to draw a stark distinction between their priorities and Bush's on an issue that resonates with voters.

“For the life of me, I can't understand why the president would want to veto this legislation,” said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the Finance Committee chairman. “It's moderate, it's bipartisan, it helps low-income kids. ... It's just the right thing to do for the country.”

Bush has proposed spending $5 billion to extend the State Children's Health Insurance Program. He says the Senate's $35 billion expansion would balloon the decade-old program beyond its original mission of covering working poor children and would move more people toward government-run health care.

The program expires Sept. 30.

The Senate measure now must be reconciled with the House-passed $50 billion expansion, which was paid for partly by cutting government payments to Medicare health maintenance organizations.

Both bills include hefty tax increases on tobacco products to pay for the spending increase.

Architects of the legislation “have seized the reauthorization of SCHIP as a license to raise taxes, increase spending and take a giant leap forward into the land of government-run health care,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader.

He was one of 31 Republicans to oppose the measure, while 18 Republicans joined 48 Democrats and two independents to support it.

The health program is designed to subsidize the cost of insurance for children whose families earn too much to participate in Medicaid, but not enough to afford private health insurance.

Through federal waivers, the program has expanded in many states to include middle-income children and adults. That has led Republicans to argue that it has become a backdoor way to extend government-provided health care to an increasing number of people.

National polls show overwhelming majorities of voters support expanding the children's health program and are more likely to support candidates who back it.

[randalds]

%u201CFor the life of me, I can't understand why the president would want to veto this legislation,%u201D said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the Finance Committee chairman. %u201CIt's moderate, it's bipartisan, it helps low-income kids. ... It's just the right thing to do for the country.%u201D

Unfortunately Bush simply does not care about the children. In fact he does not care about any person who is not in his elite "class". He just does not care.

[randalds]

Decent basic health care is a right in every civilized Western nation, except one, the United States of America. We are the only industrialized nation on earth that does not provide basic health care for all of their citizens on a non-profit basis and as a result more the 45 million Americans, most of whom are working, can not afford health care. That's a disgrace. Health care IS a basic human right and not a privilege reserved for just those that can afford it. We're America! We can do better then this!

[brianbwb-2009]

RandalDS,

Bush will veto the bill, because he believes that children should be sent to catholic priests for free colonics, protestant priests for free throat exams, and for any other health matters, you will be required by law to buy Carlysle Group insurance for total health coverage, with exceptions for any actual illness.

[lars2008-2009]

We can't afford healthcare for children. We've got a war to pay for.

[brianbwb-2009]

We can't afford healthcare for children. We've got a war to pay for.


Posted by Lars2008

Wow Lars, I'm shocked! I guess even the most jaded of us occasionally have moments of clarity. Is this the same Lars as Lars008? Can't possibly be...

Anyway I want to discuss the ban on clove imports passed as part of the FDA tobacco bill.

Indonesians smoke clove in their cigarettes, but Americans eat them on thanksgiving turkeys, and drink them in coca cola.

It is a spice, and doesn't get you high, even if you smoke it, so whats with the ban, has the anti tobacco lobby been taking too much zanax?

Totally insane, and probably unconstitutional to ban food imports.

[usayesterday]

If you want to truly see the priorties and interests of the Bush Administration....


...watch this move:


WWW.ZEITGEISTMOVIE.COM


(And don't forget to scroll down to check out the links on that page).

[tasmhs]

I'm a Republican, but Bush is dead wrong on this one, and I hope the Congress overrides his veto.

I'm so sick of the attacks on "socialized medicine". HELLO....Medicaid and Medicare are socialized medicine. Social Security is Socialist in nature, what about Guaranteed Student Loans....more socialism.

The GOP rhetoric is really getting old and I hate to bash my own party, but on health care they are dead wrong.

We need a single payer universal health care system, like Canada or Britain or any other civilized country in the world. It's a disgrace that we have 40 million uninsured people in the USA. We need to cut the profit motive out of health care, which means hospitals, doctors, and pharmaceutical companies need to stop being so *** greedy.

And, yes, I would be willing to pay a tax for such a service.

We need an Independent for President in 2008. I nominate Angus King (former 2 term independent Governor) from my home state of Maine.

[tasmhs]

Decent basic health care is a right in every civilized Western nation, except one, the United States of America. We are the only industrialized nation on earth that does not provide basic health care for all of their citizens on a non-profit basis and as a result more the 45 million Americans, most of whom are working, can not afford health care. That's a disgrace. Health care IS a basic human right and not a privilege reserved for just those that can afford it. We're America! We can do better then this!
Posted by RandalDS at 11:52 PM : Aug 02, 2007


RandalDS,

You are 100 percent correct! Bravo!

[mcvet]

Decent basic health care is a right in every civilized Western nation, except one, the United States of America. We are the only industrialized nation on earth that does not provide basic health care for all of their citizens on a non-profit basis and as a result more the 45 million Americans, most of whom are working, can not afford health care. That's a disgrace. Health care IS a basic human right and not a privilege reserved for just those that can afford it. We're America! We can do better then this!
Posted by RandalDS at 11:52 PM : Aug 02, 2007

I just do not know how it could be said any better. This is the spirit of America, this is the spirit that made us great and we can be again.

[mgpm-2009]

He's such an idiot. Compassionate conservatism? He's a load of bullsh*t.

[gunnerv1]

I don't mind the Health Care for "Children" but, what is the cut off age? Right now it is 23 years old if your not married, single and still in school. Come on people, 23! I was out on my own at 17!

[realpatriot1]

tasmhs,

Don't regret taking issue with your party, you offer more hope for the future of your party than the Bush defenders ever will.

We will always need a viable Republican party, if for no other reason than to keep the democrats honest and on their toes. There's nothing viable about this current junta or its defenders.

[hungry1968]

I'm a Republican, but Bush is dead wrong on this one, and I hope the Congress overrides his veto.
Posted by tasmhs at 06:08 AM : Aug 03, 2007


You really need to renounce your party line stance. One of the biggest problems in this country, are people for Democrat because, "I'm a Democrat", or Republican because, "I'm a Republican". People vote for a candidate strictly because of their party affiliation, rather than voting for the most competent, able, and intelligent candidate. Everyone should register to vote and then actually go out and vote, but please don't vote based strictly on political party.

[mbcsmith]

Decent basic health care is a right in every civilized Western nation, except one, the United States of America. We are the only industrialized nation on earth that does not provide basic health care for all of their citizens on a non-profit basis and as a result more the 45 million Americans, most of whom are working, can not afford health care. That's a disgrace. Health care IS a basic human right and not a privilege reserved for just those that can afford it. We're America! We can do better then this!
Posted by RandalDS at 11:52 PM : Aug 02, 2007

Please point to the specific article of the Constitution that makes health care a RIGHT.

[likeitis5050]

mbcsmith Please point to the part of RandalDS' post that says it is a Constitutional right. What I see:

Health care IS a basic human right and not a privilege

Nothing there says Constitution.

[mbcsmith]

Health care IS a basic human right and not a privilege

Nothing there says Constitution.
Posted by likeitis5050 at 09:41 AM : Aug 03, 2007

What is your justification/support for that claim?

[realpatriot1]

mbcsmith,

As has been pointed out, Randal's statement doesn't claim a Constitutional right. However, I would argue that without health it would be difficult for anyone to have the right to life,liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The prblem with conservatives is that they don't understand the spirit of the Constitution or the Bible.

[mbcsmith]

The prblem with conservatives is that they don't understand the spirit of the Constitution or the Bible.
Posted by realpatriot1 at 09:51 AM : Aug 03, 2007

So you believe that every American is entitled to free health care, including George Soros?

[starleo146]

It is time some of all that money that is going to Iraq, STOPS, and we start paying attention to this country our health is run by pharmaceuticals and that needs to stop, How many bridges could we fix I'm for anything to improve THIS COUNTRY for a change. China is being supported by the U.S. better than than the U.S. is supporting its own.

[gkc99]

Bushit won't dare veto this one. He'll whine and squirm.

[adventurepa]

What is your justification/support for that claim?
Posted by mbcsmith

Here is just one example of mbcsmith and his neocron ways.
He would probably deny his own mom health care.
RandalDS was right about smith.
"don't understand the spirit of the Constitution or the Bible."
All he cares about is money and himself.
And his rebuttel will prove beyond a dought, his true self. Sad.

[actornaught]

Every american SHOULD have available single-payer supplied health care, including George Soros. He'll pay his taxes, and be entitled to it. And someday it will happen.

Every neocon ******** should ask his employer how much it costs per person for health insurance, and add how much is co-payed, etc. I'll bet the number would stun you. Single-payer health insurance will probably take less when added to taxes. LESS.

By the way, call it 'socialized medicine', i don't care. So many of those labels have been corrupted and redefined, it doesn't matter.

Also, mbcsmith, you gotta learn to read. You should apologize to everybody.

[realpatriot1]

mbcsmith,

Yes, even George Soros will have to pay in his fair share and will have to pay deductibles, co-pays, and premiums for the basic package. If he wants extra bells and whistles he can use his largesse to purchase private supplemental insurance, they'll still be a private market for that.

[tejasdemo]

EXCELLENT WORK DEMOCRATS !!!!!!!!!!!!

[ckcool192001]

You know what is so great about this legislation? For once...even if bush does Veto the bill, the bill will be made law by a congressional overide. I wonder if this makes Bush feel? Bush will probably cry because he can't kill this bill. Maybe this could start a trend...I would be nice to see a few more congressional overides on bills Bush wants to veto.

[gunnerv1]

No one has answered me yet. What is the "cut off" age for Children? Please don't say 23.

[mbcsmith]

The prblem with conservatives is that they don't understand the spirit of the Constitution or the Bible.
Posted by realpatriot1 at 09:51 AM : Aug 03, 2007


Please inform me which article of the constitution or verse of the bible entitles everyone to free health care.

[actornaught]

holy crud, mbc', NOBODY said the constitution gave us a right to health care. NOBODY. (Although it should, and probably will someday.)

You're taking a general statement and fantasizing an oversimplified context for it. The statement required 'thought'.

e.g.: Christian charity demands that we take care of society's weak and poor. Christian ethics also makes a good case that we take care of EVERYBODY.

[twylacrat]

We can't be giving away health care to American children. We've got rebuild Iraq and make sure they are taken care of first. Then, we've got to make sure Haliburton makes billions. Don't forget all those tax cuts for our millionaires. What do these kids think, we're made out of money?

[mbcsmith]

e.g.: Christian charity demands that we take care of society's weak and poor. Christian ethics also makes a good case that we take care of EVERYBODY.
Posted by actornaught at 01:56 PM : Aug 03, 2007

The Soviets tried COMMUNISM and it didn't work. However, hugo chavez has a place at the table for you.

[actornaught]

ok, you're incapable addressing anything but how much of a quasi-illiterate jerk you are.

read & comprehend, instead of spouting unrelated talking points garbage.

[keithle1]

Way to go, team. I'm pleasantly surprised. Republicans... You gotta luv 'em.
"...bitter Republican opposition..."
Could they be any more clueless? Are you trying to lose the White House in 2008 to the Dems?
If so, carry on. More, more, more.

I think it's outrageous that they would even consider taxing tobacco products. How dare they.
I just bought a ton of Phillip Morris stock.
Cigarettes are fine. They don't cause health problems. No one dies from smoking Camels. As if.

"...the Senate's $35 billion expansion"
What does that work out to be? Three months of what we pay for Iraq/Afghanistan? At about $12 billion a month?

Of course we just might have had more money to fund pressing domestic issues/problems (there are a few so I have been told) if we hadn't invaded Iraq. Did we ever find those "weapons of mass destruction"?

[tbweb]

No one has answered me yet. What is the "cut off" age for Children? Please don't say 23.

Posted by gunnerv1 at 12:39 PM : Aug 03, 2007,,,

Not only is the cut off age 22, but each State gets to define "Children" and Adults can be added in addition to illegals and their kids in special cases due to language loopholes. Using the term "Children's Health Plan" is very deceptive for the people who actually read this Bill in detail. The Bill is a wolf in sheep's clothes to experts! Now we can longer trust what they name a Bill, it must be examined like never before, very clever disguise.