Crafting a Better Compromise to Cover Kids

ARRA: This week we learn that the Democrats have forced through an expanded State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that would double -- from 4 million to 8 million -- the number of children covered. The reauthorization bill "fails to focus on poor children, and instead creates a new entitlement program for higher-income households," said White House Press Secretary Dana Perino in a written statement. "The president will veto this bill because it directs scarce funding to higher incomes at the expense of poor families." See: Senate passes children's health insurance bill, Bush vows to veto

It is time again to focus on "Crafting a Better Compromise to Cover Kids." Such and approach is provided by Nina Owcharenko and Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D. of the Heritage Foundation: On September 21, House and Senate leaders announced a deal to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $35 billion over five years, to $60 billion. This "compromise" does little to bridge the differences in opinion on how best to address the needs of uninsured children. Instead, Congress should consider a bipartisan approach that is broad and balanced. Congress should reauthorize SCHIP and use innovative policy tools to expand access to private coverage for children. Read Full Article

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