October 4, 2007
FROM LEANER GOVERNMENT TO PUTTING ON SOME PAUNCH:
Abandon SCHIP: Big Government Returns (Ray Nothstine, 10/03/07, Acton Institute: Comment)
Originally established by House Republicans in 1997, SCHIP was meant to insure children of families who do not qualify for Medicaid. The incomes of eligible families generally did not exceed 200 percent of the poverty level. The new version of SCHIP does not stay faithful to the intent of the program.The congressional expansion of SCHIP raises spending $35 billion over 5 years. Families making more than 400 percent above the poverty line may be eligible for the program. In the state of New York, a family of four earning $83,000 would qualify.
Rampant spending and middle class handouts aren’t the only problems. Half of all new children enrolling will be leaving private insurance, shifting ever more of the health care sector from market to government.
After their Clintonian interlude they're stuck back in the Second Way. Posted by Orrin Judd at October 4, 2007 4:12 PM
I think the original intent was good. As always, the program has morphed into something else by covering children from affluent families and by covering 'children' up to age 25.
Posted by: KB at October 4, 2007 4:37 PMA "Second Way" which appears will easily control both Houses of Congress and the Presidency come January 2009.
Posted by: Raoul Ortega at October 4, 2007 7:57 PM