"The bill calls for spending an additional $32.8 billion on the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, which now enrolls an estimated 7 million children. Lawmakers generated that revenue by raising the federal tobacco tax."
The bill will add 4 million additional children to SCHIP.
The Republicans, of course, opposed it. "[T]hey argued that Democrats were taking the program beyond its original intent and were encouraging states to cover middle-class families who otherwise could get private insurance.
" 'This debate is about, do we want a children's health insurance program that covers every child in America with state and federal dollars regardless of their ability to pay?' said Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas. 'Do we want to freeze out the private sector for health insurance?' "
Oh dear, the poor health insurance companies! Doesn't this make you want to cry? And who are these "middle-class families who otherwise could get private insurance?" What planet is Mr. Barton living on?
Oh I know. He's living on Planet The-Federal-Government-Pays-For-All-My-Health-Care, just like all the other members of congress. (Do we want a congressperson's health insurance program that covers every member of congress with federal dollars regardless of their ability to pay? Of course we do.)
" 'We fulfill one of the highest responsibilities that we have, to ensure the health and well-being of our nation's children,' the president said before a cheering audience of families, lawmakers and interest groups. 'Providing coverage to 11 million children is a downpayment on my commitment to cover every single American.' "
A small downpayment. But any progress is progress.
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