Bush To Veto Children's Health Care Bill

[Richard Tafoya]

LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-bush21sep21,1,5467388.story?coll=la-news-a_section

During a 35-minute White House news conference, Bush also said he would veto legislation intended to help the families of poorer children pay for their healthcare unless its reach was scaled down. The veto threat sets up a battle with Congress; the current program expires on Sept. 30.

"Members of Congress are putting health coverage for poor children at risk so they can score political points in Washington," Bush said.

Bush said the legislation would convert a program intended to help poor children into one covering children in households with yearly incomes of up to $83,000. That claim was challenged by Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Supporters of the State Children's Health Insurance Program legislation expect to pass a bipartisan compromise next week to expand the program by about $35 billion over five years, extending coverage to an additional 4 million children. The federal-state partnership currently insures about 6 million children, including more than 800,000 in California's Healthy Families program.

Independent analysts say that Bush's offer -- expanding the program by $5 billion over five years -- would not sustain the program's current caseload.

The compromise closely tracks a bill approved this summer by a veto-proof margin in the Senate. It has drawn support from at least 18 House Republicans -- not enough to override the threatened veto -- as well as from a number of Republican governors.

The president's remarks Thursday set off a storm of complaint not only from Democrats on Capitol Hill, but also from some Republicans.

[Venisenvy]

Im surprised to say this but I definitely side with the democrats on this one. While I have not been in favor of socialized medicine or anything close to it. I do believe that every child in the US should have medical insurance and if the parents can't afford it then the government must provide it. It should also force parents that can afford it to buy health insurance for their children. Forcing adults to have health insurance is a different thing.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

I'm also for insuring every child in this county and forcing parents to insure their children if they are financially able.

Typical scenario I see in the ER: here comes a family bringing in thier kids who are not insured, driving up in a very big, very new pick-up truck. Small income, big car payments, no insurance = taxpayers absorbing the costs of care. Something is very wrong with that picture.

[ConnieB]

Something is also wrong when someone who can't afford to have children...HAVE children. Teens are one of those groups I'm talking about. Why should I have to pay for their children to have health care....no one pays for my kid's healthcare except me. If every child was to be insured my taxes would be raised once again and I'm not for that at all...I already pay enough and it's being misused.

[pinky]

So I guess we should just have mandatory abortions for all pregnant teens? Or just for the poor ones?

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Or we could just sterilize all the poor people. How would that be, Connie?

[pinky]

But who would pay for all that?

Coat hangers are cheap, most people have them already. Who cares if a few poor girls die?

[Paulie]

Something is also wrong when someone who can't afford to have children...HAVE children. Teens are one of those groups I'm talking about. Why should I have to pay for their children to have health care....no one pays for my kid's healthcare except me. If every child was to be insured my taxes would be raised once again and I'm not for that at all...I already pay enough and it's being misused.

ConnieB,

Would you support efforts to reduce teen pregnancy that wouldn't increase your tax base? Specifically, I'm talking about mandatory sex education in all schools (public, private, religious, etc.) beginning no later than sixth grade, in which all forms of pregnancy prevention, including abstinence and birth control, are discussed.

I'm very interested to see what your response will be.

Paulie

[LesterX]

Why should I have to pay for their children to have health care....no one pays for my kid's healthcare except me.

For a very simple reason -- children should not be without health care because their parents chose to have them when they couldn't afford them. You don't punish children for the choices their parents make.

Your attitude is so typical of people who are anti-abortion -- your so-called compassion ends when the child is born. (Yes, Pinky, I know there are exceptions!) Suddenly, that precious life is not worthy of your tax dollars.

[SparkleHugs]

What about situations when parents have a nice job with a decent income when they have their children, but something happens and Daddy is laid off and there goes their health insurance and financially stable lifestyle leaving the children without health care? should they just up and put those kids up for adoption?

If the prices of health care were not completely out of control insurance wouldn't be needed for minor things that they go to the doctor for. it's the monthly bill for insurance I cannot afford for the 11 months out of the year that I do not go.

[pinky]

People, please! You're going to confuse her with all this logic!

[Paulie]

....I'm still waiting for you to answer my question.

Paulie

[SparkleHugs]

lol, did you really expect her to answer? She doesn't answer the logical questions anymore than Regis does. You point out a flaw in their logic and poof they're gone.

[tiger_rascal]

We cant have health insurance for children, theres a war in Iraq! :rolleyes:

[pinky]

In Connie's defense, she isn't here all that often. She's more of a hit-and-run poster.

[tiger_rascal]

Hit and run?! Where?! Dont you know theres a war in Iraq?!

[CAStyle]

I was pretty mad when he said poor people come first in his speech when defending the decision. He's twisting his words to make it seem like he's somehow helping them. He should have just said 'foreign policy over poor kids.'

[Annoyedlistner]

What a sad day in America when the President of the United States vetos a bill that would give Health Insurance to needy children.

I hope Mr. Bush is by Little Johny's side while he's dying from a disease that his parents can not afford to pay treatment for.

Little Johny's blood is all over your hands Mr. President.....what does it matter anyways, your hands are already caked in blood.

[CAStyle]

What a sad day in America when the President of the United States vetos a bill that would give Health Insurance to needy children.

I hope Mr. Bush is by Little Johny's side while he's dying from a disease that his parents can not afford to pay treatment for.

Little Johny's blood is all over your hands Mr. President.....what does it matter anyways, your hands are already caked in blood.

I feel just as sorry for Little Juanito and all the other nameless kids.

[alan]

Shame on you Mr President Bush !!! Every poor child had healthcare during the Clinton & Carter Administrations. What happened GW???? Its amazing that it all fell apart the day you got elected !!!

[alan]

Are we being too narrowminded here? I agree we need to foot the bill so every child can receive healthcare. Do we also need to be taxed for for them to get electricity..transportation(to get to the doctor)..food, clothing, internet, education and recreation, etc? All these being health related and pertinent to every child's wellfare.

alan