House OKs Child Health Insurance Bill

Measure Would Expand Insurance For Children But President Bush Promises Veto

(AP)  The House voted Tuesday to expand health insurance for children, but the Democratic-led victory may prove short-lived because the margin was too small to override President Bush's promised veto.

Embarking on a health care debate likely to animate the 2008 elections, the House voted 265-159 to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, by $35 billion over five years. Bush says he will veto the bill due to its cost, its reliance on a tobacco tax increase and its potential for replacing private insurance with government grants.

SCHIP is a state-federal program that provides coverage for 6.6 million children from families that live above the poverty level but have trouble affording private health insurance. The proposed expansion, backed by most governors and many health-advocacy groups, would add 4 million children to the rolls.

The bill drew support from 45 House Republicans, many of them moderates who do not want to be depicted as indifferent to low-income children's health needs when they seek re-election next year. But most Republicans, under pressure from the White House and party leaders, sided with Bush, a move that Democrats see as a political blunder.

It hardly matters that the expansion would be expensive or a step toward socialized health care, Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., said during the House debate. When lawmakers go home, he said, "the question is, Were you with the kids or were you not?"

To overturn a presidential veto, both chambers of Congress must produce two-thirds majorities. The 159 House votes opposing the SCHIP bill should give Bush enough cushion to sustain his veto, as House leaders expect few members to switch positions.

The Senate appears poised to pass the SCHIP expansion by a large margin later this week, but a Senate bid to override a veto would be pointless if the House override effort falls short.

Despite the expected veto, many congressional Democrats welcomed the SCHIP debate as a way to open a second political front - in addition to Iraq - on which they feel Bush and his allies are out of step with voters. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., said the president willingly pours billions of dollars into the war but resists a significant expansion of a health program for modest-income children.

"It's no surprise the president finds himself isolated," Emanuel said at a Democratic event that included a Maryland mother who relied on SCHIP coverage when two of her children were badly injured in a car wreck.

Some Republicans agreed that the debate over a greater government role in health care will resonate far beyond Capitol Hill this week.

"This vote is huge for the next president, regardless of who it is," Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., said in an interview during the floor debate. "I don't think anybody underestimates the philosophical importance."

Eight Democrats opposed the bill. Some, from tobacco-growing districts, object to raising the federal cigarette tax to $1 a pack, a 61-cent increase. Some Hispanic members complained that the bill would make legal immigrant children wait five years to qualify for SCHIP.

A Republican-controlled Congress and President Clinton created SCHIP in 1997 to provide health coverage for families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but not high enough to pay for private coverage. Under the expansion proposal, states could seek federal waivers to steer funds to some families earning at least triple the official poverty-level income, provided the states showed progress enrolling the main target: children in families earning up to double the poverty rate. That would be $34,340 for a family of three, or $41,300 for a family of four.

The Bush administration says the legislation could qualify some New York families of four making about $83,000 a year, or four times the poverty level. Such a scenario is unlikely, the bill's proponents say, because it would require waivers the administration has rejected.

Bush proposes a smaller increase in SCHIP - $5 billion over five years - although some Republican lawmakers say he might agree to a larger increase later.

In a statement of administration policy Tuesday, the White House said the bill "goes too far toward federalizing health care." Republicans said a veto was certain. In his nearly seven years in office, Bush has vetoed three bills. One would have withdrawn troops from Iraq, and two would have expanded federal research involving embryonic stem cells.

SCHIP is set to expire Sunday. To avert that, congressional Democrats plan to extend it temporarily with a larger spending bill to keep the government running when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. The strategy would prevent Democrats from being blamed for letting the health program lapse by not reaching an accord with Bush, lawmakers said.

House Republican leaders berated Democrats for including several targeted spending items, known as "earmarks," in the 299-page SCHIP bill, which was not available for public review until Monday night. Democrats had declared the bill earmark-free. But Republicans found language directing funds to programs in Tennessee, California and Michigan.

[randaids]

You highlight the main problem with this bill perfectly. By using average income as a gage, there will still be many uninsured in expensive areas and have everyone insured in ths rest of the country. Duh. That makes sense to me, not!

[muzzlebush]

This was a test of character.
Like most of the tests he''s taken, George flunked.

[getloud1]

Ron Paul has it all.

**** TAKE AMERICA BACK ****
**** STOP THE WAR & Corporate Corruption****

He has NEVER voted:
* to raise taxes
* for an unbalanced budget
* to raise congressional pay
* for a federal restriction on gun ownership
* to increase the power of the executive branch

He HAS voted:
* against the Iraq war
* against the inappropriately named USA PATRIOT act
* against regulating the internet
* against the Military Commissions Act

He will eliminate the IRS, Wasteful Government Spending & Stop The Iraq War Immediately!

Most importantly, he voted NO on anything in Congress that is not allowed by the Constitution.

He is the only candidate not a member of the CFR!

Shouldn''t ALL members of Congress uphold the Constitution? Aren''t they SWORN to uphold it? You can bet Paul WON''T call the Constitution "just a G**D***ed piece of paper" like George Bush is reported to have.

If you want a candidate you can TRUST due to a proven track record, visit www.ronpaul2008.com and get busy spreading the word. The Mainstream Media is a lagging indicator!!

Join The ReVoLuTiOn In Your City Stand Up America:
http://ronpaul.meetup.com/cities/

Also checkout http://video.google.com search for Federal Reserve Fraud

[likeitis5050]

The Dems are to blame on this one. They attached, very carefully, too many side items, AND didn''t include provisions that would keep illegals from lining up...all they were going to require was A social security number that would not have to be verified as being authentically the child''s. The Dems are just shooting themselves in the foot because the whole purpose of this showdown is make the Republicans look like they aren''t concerned about children, when in fact, it''s going to backfire once the truth comes out about how sneaky they were with this one. It always comes out in the end. I''m not even a Bush supporter, but the Dems are dead wrong on this one, and they know it.

[dragonmouse-2009]

I have a bit of a problem with this. I have to pay out the nose for health insurance for myself and child. This program NEVER even remotely benefited my child in the least. If they can come up with a plan that treats ALL people fairly then maybe I''ll consider it. I''m tired of paying for OTHER people.

[crater7]

DID ANYONE HEAR THE ONE ABOUT CONDI, COMPARING ZARQAWI (AS DIABOLICALLY BRILLIANT)TO THE LIKES OF ROBERT E LEE & ULYSSES S GRANT?

STAY THE COURSE............

[shanev137]

tax and spend Democrats

----------

What a freaken joke.

Your sugar daddy Bush has spent more than Ronnie Raygun and all the last democratic presidents combined.....ON ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

Republicans love bankrupting our country every time their in office.

[starleo146]

The normal grave is as the saying goes is six feet under, who are the 159 that voted against children over sending more and more money to a country that wants us to leave. America take note, once again American issues in this country mean absolutely nothing, what they care about is Iraq, and whatever there leader wants, there leader gets. The grave needs more shoveling and the republicans are doing the digging and we will take care of the voting.

[crater7]

CHANCES OF SOMEONE RECIEVING THIS AID WITH AN YEARLY INCOME OF 80,000 ARE SLIM TO NONE.

SOMEONE WHO HAS AN INCOME OF 80.000 OR MORE WOULD REQUIRE A WAIVER, SOMETHING THIS ADMINISTRATION IS AGAINST.

JUST MORE OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION USING THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE NUMBER''S, IN ORDER TO SCARE PEOPLE INTO SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE BILL. HEY! STICK WITH WHAT WORKS FOR YOU.

STAY THE COURSE............

[jon_mccain]

The easiest way to pass this is to add a zero to that figure making it 350 Billion dollars and letting the pharmaceutical companies or KBR administer the thing.

[afmca]

As I read this article I just don''t see any reason for the Republican Party or the Chamber Of Commerce to exist. The Repubs will send BILLIONS to Iraq, give BILLIONS in tax breaks to Exxon, allow BILLIONS in fraud to defense contractor but cannot allot BILLIONS for the lives and health of CHILDREN. Their last two feeble argument concerning middle class and illegal immigrant eligibility just shows their fear. They once again try to rally their lemmings through lies. Any place 80K in not RICH. 16K for medical; 4K for Dental. 25% of your gross to health. Get real .. idiots! Look at the UAW strike .. America must have universal health care. It will free us from to pursue greatness instead of being tied to meaningless jobs because of a coporate health plan.

Let''s put to rest once and for all .. The Reublicans are nether the party of familiy values or of christianity. This puts the last hypocritical nail in that coffin. They are hypocrits and heretics. They will rot in the fires of Hades for ever.

As for the Chamber of Commerce .. what a meaningless organiztion. They promote corporate welfare instead of people welfare and try to ensure that wealthy corporations have no responsibility or accountability to society for any of their actions. They need to be ignored.

Democrats - DO NOT alter one phrase of this bill. Let Bush veto and let Repubs support Bush. Keep voting on it and keep sending it back. Do this until no Republican is left in Congress!

[briannorwood]

We can spend $150 billion a year in Iraq, but can''t spend $35 billion to help kids.

This administration certainly has it''s priorities set right.

[jon_mccain]

AM NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR BUSH AGAIN IN 08!!!! =)
Posted by didntinhale

Yes you will, trust me.

[mcvet]

I want both of you well educated well meaning Liberal tax and spend Democrats to know that you have turned me around on this issue.

I AM NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR BUSH AGAIN IN 08!!!! =)


Posted by didntinhale at 07:24 AM : Sep 26, 2007
+ report abuse

Well which would you rather have, a Government that PAYS it''s way and we have good times or a Government that Borrows it''s way and we see the national debt DOUBLE? The facts are clear there Sparky! Democrats in power, the National Debt, witch is a MUCH bigger Tax Increase than any EVER passed by the Democrats, goes DOWN, that means WE the PEOPLE pay LESS of our hard earned money for INTEREST on that debt. Now even a small minded Nazi should be able to understand that? Oh okay...guess I''m wrong... Sieg Heil Y''all.

[rwassel]

For the love of God, people, use your brains. With the cost of living in New York, 80,000 a year is more like 40000 a year in most parts of the country. Just use a simple salary-cost of living calulator. This is just a number people like to latch onto to disagree, when in reality, the vast majority of people that this plan would affect are in desperate need of insurance.

Way to be heartless AND ignorant, right-wing nutjobs!

[mcvet]

The DEMS just don''''t get it. Another $35 Billion over 5 years. Where does this money come from? Us the taxpaying suckers who voted for these criminals. Vote anyone over 55 out of the Senate - take a look at the average age of these losers. Send a message to these crooks in Washington.

Posted by dante805 at 08:03 AM : Sep 26, 2007
+ report

Could you TRY to find a new line? You losers have been putting this one out there now for DECADES and look where it''s gotten us? If you have a better solution let''s hear it!! The FACT is that MILLIONS of American''s have NO Health Insurance for their Kids and they have NO jobs that will provide that coverage so IF you Nazi''s can come up with a better solution I what to hear it but I''m damned tired of hearing you bash and blame those who DO care and ARE trying to help those of us out here who work hard EVERY day. Sieg Heil Y''all.

[mcvet]

So before you get too excited read the bill, figure out who gets the "free" health care, and decide if that''''s the life you want for your children, to be self-effacing losers begging from the government. Taking charity, nay begging for charity, saps the will of people. it turns them helpless, they lose their initiative and feelings of self-worth. This kind of health care isn''''t fr4ee, not even to the small minority who can qualify.

Posted by SharnCedar at 07:53 AM : Sep 26, 2007
+ report abuse

You Fascist are simply disgusting creatures. You act and talk like YOU are the only people smart enough to make these decisions and those who want to help the VAST majority of American''s trying to raise their family''s and protect them are looking for a hand out. It''s a LIE and so are YOU! You have lied to the American People now for decades, telling them to stay away from such programs and things will get better, just keep giving all your money to the rich and greedy and it''ll get better? Well guess what Swastika Breath?? It HASN''T gotten better, it''s gotten MUCH worse on ALL fronts. Now you obviously have no solution for the average working stiff out there so lets stop this Class Warfare on people who wish to make it a little better for folks who haven''t had any help in a very long time. Sieg Heil Bush!!

[rwassel]

One-American - just because you post something a million times, does not make it a valid opinion. We know you are brainwashed by this administration, but most other people on here are a lot smarter than that. Right wing idiot.

[dante805]

The DEMS just don''t get it. Another $35 Billion over 5 years. Where does this money come from? Us the taxpaying suckers who voted for these criminals. Vote anyone over 55 out of the Senate - take a look at the average age of these losers. Send a message to these crooks in DC.

[sharncedar]

Beware of Democrats bearing gifts. In fact, as Hillary admits openly, the Democrats health care plan is to givre away free health care at trememdous expense only to the most abject poor, people who have failed in their lives and have so little self-reliance and self-esteem that they think its a priviledge to come begging from their local social services. They are rewarding dependency, a lack of initiative, a lack of pride.

The middle class will not get free health care, you will pay much, much, much more. Listen to Hillary, she says it plainly. She will "require" healthy people who are not abject, pathetic failures to buy health insurance, and she will require the insurance compaines to provide coverage to the chronically sick and the weak and those who will not take care of their own health. Guess who then must pay the insane premiums?

So before you get too excited read the bill, figure out who gets the "free" health care, and decide if that''s the life you want for your children, to be self-effacing losers begging from the government. Taking charity, nay begging for charity, saps the will of people. it turns them helpless, they lose their initiative and feelings of self-worth. This kind of health care isn''t fr4ee, not even to the small minority who can qualify.