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Thursday, October 04, 2007

SCHIP: The S is for Socialized Medicine

Cross-posted from Faultline USA

“You have to wonder sometimes how Boehner and his Republican allies in the House can look at themselves in the mirror” – Daily Kos

“Well we don’t have to worry about these far, far lefties ever looking into the mirror. Like most social vampires, they cast no reflection!” – Faultline USA

Here’s an excerpt of ABC’s blather that passes for journalism these days.

. . .Gathering on the White House lawn and the steps of Congress, the throngs were joined by children who pulled red wagons filled with over a million petitions, urging Congress to expand health insurance coverage for children.

Yet, it appears that the effort may be in vain after Bush vetoed a bill on Wednesday that would have renewed and expanded SCHIP. . .

Health policy experts now say low and moderate income families like the Taylors will be hit the hardest if the veto stands, and individuals fear the social and financial consequences.

Congress has already passed legislation which would reauthorize and expand the program by adding $35 billion over five years, and covering an additional 4 million children — a plan funded by raising the federal cigarette tax by 61 cents to $1 per pack. . .

Sweets & Light has a great response to ABC’s blatant pandering to the left on the SCHIP veto.
Here’s an excerpt (but please go read all of it).

. . .Never mind that President Bush only vetoed a $35 billion dollar expansion of the SCHIP program. There is absolutely no reason to believe that this suddenly precious boondoggle (that most people had never even heard of before) will be eliminated. . .

. . .But just look at this exercise in objective journalism. See if you can find any mention of any possible objections to the SCHIP program. . .

Did ABC News speak to anyone except those who were benefiting from the taxpayers’ (unwitting) generosity? Did this reporter ask any hardworking families what they thought about paying for other peoples’ kids health insurance? . . .

. . .Unfortunately, every day we are fed an endless stream of execrable, agenda-driven articles like this one, masquerading as news. Articles so blatant in their purpose they would have even made Hitler or Stalin’s minions at their respective ministries of propaganda blush.

But because our watchdog media think they are serving such a noble purpose they are proud of their efforts rather than ashamed.

Of course that is exactly what they believed in Hitler and Stalin’s ministries as well.

Politico writers Kady II and O’Connor believe that an override veto is unlikely. . . Here’s an excerpt.

It’s highly unlikely any House Republican will turn 180 degrees and vote to override President Bush’s veto, but nonetheless, Democrats have decided to draw the issue out for two more weeks, until they hold the veto override.

Interviews with several of the targeted House Republicans — all of whom are considered vulnerable in next year’s elections and are under pressure to change their vote on State Children’s Health Insurance Program — give little indication that any of them would flip-flop on such a high-profile issue.

If an override passes, the Daily Kos confirms our worst fears with typical forked-tongue twisting. No I won’t hyperlink this far left nutcase blog. Here’s the link.

www(dot)dailykos(dot)com/storyonly/2007/10/4/81915/3035

Here’s an excerpt:

Which uninsured children are the wrong people? And who is this program intended to help?

This report provides an overview of citizen and noncitizen children in immigrant families in the United States and their access to SCHIP. The section entitled "Immigrant Children at Risk" describes the population, their rising numbers, and their lack of health insurance. The next section reviews the effects of the 1996 welfare reform law on immigrants' eligibility for health care, and studies that indicate enrollment is down even for eligible immigrant families. The report then examines some of the factors affecting enrollment, such as fears of public charge, verification of citizenship and immigrant status, and language and cultural barriers. Finally, the paper outlines examples of state responses through state-funded health care and improvements in outreach, application and enrollment. Examples from California, Texas, New Mexico and Florida are given. The appendices include definitions for common immigration terms and a description of federal funds available for outreach and enrollment to the immigrant population (SCHIP, Medicaid, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.)

. . . While Boehner appeals to Fortress America, state legislatures are trying to sign these eligible kids up, because we all pay for their care in ERs when they don't get care in a medical home. That's why 45 governors support SCHIP, from Jodi Rell (R-CT) to Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA).

You have to wonder sometimes how Boehner and his Republican allies in the House can look at themselves in the mirror.

Well we don’t have to worry about these far, far lefties looking into the mirror. Like most social vampires, they cast no reflection!




Tags: health care, politics, democrats, republicans, bush, senate, elections, news, republican, government


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