SCHIP Sails Through Congress, Faces Bush Veto
- Oct 2, 2007 - 7
Congress took a large step last week in the direction of government-run health care by voting to expand by $35 billion over five years a program that provides health insurance coverage to children in underprivileged families.
The House of Representatives approved the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) measure Sept. 25 with bipartisan support, 265-159. Forty-five Republicans voted in favor of the measure, while eight Democrats opposed it. The Senate followed suit two days later, 67-29, with 18 Republicans joining all voting Democrats in support. SCHIP was set to expire Sept. 30.
Since the 1997 creation of SCHIP, millions of children living in low-income homes have enjoyed health insurance coverage, something their parents could not otherwise have provided. SCHIP currently provides health insurance to 6.6 million children who live in homes that fall below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and are ineligible for Medicaid.
While a majority in Congress voted to reauthorize this program that has served the nation well, supporters went a step further and broadened the program to the point that ultimately it could direct government-subsidized insurance coverage to families who should not need it. Under the expanded SCHIP program, enrollment would jump to 10 million, reaching many children from middle-class families that already have private health insurance. More specifically, the program would boost coverage to include families of four earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or nearly $62,000 a year. Additionally, states that have already approved higher levels could be grandfathered in, such as New York State, which proposes to cover a family of four earning 400 percent of the poverty level, or $82,600 per year.
Backers of the SCHIP bill, however, still face an uphill climb as President Bush has stated his intention to veto the bill and Congress appears short on votes needed to cancel a veto. Congress purportedly has delayed sending the bill to the president so backers of the measure can buy some time to convince him to sign it. He is expected to receive the bill this week.
The White House in recent months has threatened to veto multiple bills looming in Congress. A veto on SCHIP, however, would mark just the president’s fourth veto in nearly seven years in office; he vetoed a bill in May to set target dates to withdraw most U.S. troops from Iraq and twice vetoed a bill to expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
Senate Democrats, all of whom gave their approval of SCHIP, managed to peel off 18 Republicans to support the bill, giving them just enough votes to override a veto if no senators switch their votes. But the Senate might not get the chance to vote again on the SCHIP bill in its present form if it is vetoed. It would first go back to the House, where it originated, and need to pick up roughly two dozen votes, enough to get a two-thirds majority, or 290 votes.
If you agree that SCHIP should not be expanded to include families who can afford to provide health care for their children without government assistance, please thank President Bush for his promise to veto the bill and encourage him to follow through with his commitment. You can contact him here. You can also express your disappointment to Senators who voted for the expansion of SCHIP.
All Senate Democrats voted for the measure.
Senate Republicans who voted for SCHIP:
- Lamar Alexander (TN)
- Christopher Bond (MO)
- Norm Coleman (MN)
- Susan Collins (ME)
- Bob Corker (TN)
- Pete Domenici (NM)
- Charles Grassley (IA)
- Orrin Hatch (UT)
- Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX)
- Richard Lugar (IN)
- Lisa Murkowski (AK)
- Pat Roberts (KS)
- Gordon Smith (OR)
- Olympia Snowe (ME)
- Arlen Specter (PA)
- Ted Stevens (AK)
- John Sununu (NH)
- John Warner (VA)
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comments (post your own) feed
1 On Oct 3rd, 2007, at 9:33am, Gustavo A. Quintero wrote:
I understand that if we continue to raise the standar for children throughout America to receive healthcare this will allow us to have a universal healthcare in the United States of America solely provided by the government and taxes. I know socialist countries have been doing this for awhile. The negative side to having universal health care is you will not have the best doctors all the time.
2 On Oct 3rd, 2007, at 8:14pm, Constance Goldsmith wrote:
what happened with the broadening of the bill? How can the parameters be broadened to covering a family with a $62,000 income? This could be the beginnings of an albatros if the supporters aren’t careful.Are these insurance policies going to be issued through the schools at registration? There has to be some personal contact with school personnel and family or it could be mishandled with no one knowing of the need or someone taking advantage of the program that wouldn’t qualify financially.
3 On Oct 4th, 2007, at 9:56am, Gordon Whitman wrote:
This is a disappointing position for any religious institution to take. The truth is that the compromise bill that Senators Grassley and Hatch negotiated focuses on low-income children who are uninsured. The bill protects 6 million children who rely on SCHIP and covers almost 4 million children who are now UNINSURED. These children don’t have coverage because their parents cannot afford to buy it for them. These are innocents who cannot be asked to work harder. These are the children that Rev. Land talked about on 3/6/07 when he said: “Surely in a nation as rich as ours, we can find ways to make certain all our nation’s children receive the health care they need.” Contrary to the post, the bill limits rather than expands eligibility. Many states already cover children above 200% of poverty, because these families have trouble affording coverage for their children. The bill limits states from going above 300%. Read a balanced perspective at http://www.factcheck.org.
4 On Oct 4th, 2007, at 11:30am, Manny Tomes wrote:
Why do you automatically assume this will result in full-blown socialized medicine? The program SCHIP program has been in effect for seven years. How much socialized medicine has that caused? If you and the president really care about health care for children, why did the president propose reducing the number of children covered under the program? There is no other issue I can think of that more clearly shows how the ERLC has sold out to the republican party. The 400% level is not mandatory and does not apply to the full program. Do you have any idea how much it costs to live in New York and what health care costs are? Rather than just falling in lock step with an administration that has clearly shown it does not care about health care for all Americans, work to show how those that really need it can get it. Rather than complaining to those who voted for the bill, complain to those who voted against it for not fixing it.
5 On Oct 7th, 2007, at 6:05pm, Mitchell B DUpre' wrote:
I feel that something must be done but going to the failed systems of overseas isn’t the answer. It’s one step to becoming the less effective foreign socialist system where the government will start telling you what you can or cannot do. We are going to start having long lines for days to get healthcare services because people will send their children in instead of taking care of them. They will buy beer, cig’s, and other things instead of paying for health insurance. There are better ways and it’s through creating the social programs through Christian and faith-based charities. We are the biggest givers of healthcare in the world now all we really need to do is better manage it. Like one person said about it; it’s were your priorites are at. I feel that the churches should attempt to create foundations with donations to place into Healthcare; Schools, etc. We should be teaching our children the way they should go.
6 On Oct 18th, 2007, at 6:38am, JMO wrote:
I believe that opposing schip is about the most unchristian thing you can do. Our health care system is broken and until we can get it fixed it is our absolute responsibility to protect the innocent. The slippery slope argument is a terrible one to make at the expense of children. That is why many family values Republicans are in support of this bill. The only one’s who oppose it are corporate conservatives who are more interested in protecting the interests of insurance companies. Many wrap themselves in the banner of family values, but when it comes down to voting they always choose corporate interests first. What would Jesus do?
The Republican members of congress who supported this bill should be applauded and rewarded
with our votes on election day. The rest should be sent packing and hopefully can be replaced with real social conservatives who will not sell our agenda to corporate interests.
7 On Jan 8th, 2009, at 1:50am, michele wrote:
I am dumbstruck that people would see expanding healthcare negatively. As for the person who believes this will lead to people buying beer, get a life. My husband and i work ourselves silly so that we can afford health insurance for our kids and if schip was expanded to include them maybe we could spend more time with them. Have you any idea how low the federal poverty level is for a family of 4. Well let me tell you that at 42,000 a year you would be over 200%. So perhaps people need to stop worrying about socialism and unwanted alcohol purchases and give our country a well deserved breather from the high cost of healthcare premiums for our kids.