September 28, 2007
KIDS HEALTH VETO SHOWDOWN
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Bush says 'no' to millions of kids in need |
President George Bush says he'll whip out his veto pen for only the second time in the past seven years to block a bipartisan Congressional compromise on children's health insurance. It's a threat that could end health coverage across the country for over five million low-income children— and deny coverage to 3.8 million more kids who could get care under the bill — as soon as next week.
Compromise legislation funding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) passed the Senate Thursday afternoon by a veto-proof majority of 69-30, with 18 Republicans joining 50 Senate Democrats and Vermont's Independent Senator Bernie Sanders in favor of the bill.
But the House vote earlier in the week—265-159—was not enough to override a veto, setting up a showdown between the White House and the Capitol that could last for months. Democratic leaders in Congress are likely to include short-term funding for SCHIP in resolutions to pay for federal programs while this year's budget bills are completed.
The SCHIP program, along with Medicaid and Medicare, are essential elements in the effort to win universal health care for everyone in the United States. But contrary to propaganda from radical right-wingers, SCHIP isn't (sadly) really a stepping stone to single-payer universal care. Just about every dime of the $35B will go to HMOs and insurance companies.
The bill Bush is rejecting makes some good improvements in current coverage under SCHIP, including expanded coverage for mental health and dental services. It also adds coverage and services for thousands of uninsured pregnant moms.
Our pals at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Families USA have whipped up some great materials on SCHIP you might be interested in:
- A detailed demolition of the Bush arguments against the SCHIP compromise here
- A side-by-side comparison the Senate bill, House bill, and the bipartisan CHIPRA you can find here
- A state-by-state breakdown of kids who won't get coverage if the compromise doesn't pass here
- An explanation of citizenship documentation improvements in the compromise bill here
We'll keep you posted on SCHIP progress in next week's Update.