Opponents of SCHIP insurance bill play immigration card

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1100&u_sid=10176487

Published Monday | November 5, 2007
Opponents of insurance bill play immigration card
BY JAKE THOMPSON
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON — Once again, illegal immigration is helping tie Congress in knots.

The subject has been injected into some seemingly unlikely discussions this year, including debate over a new farm bill.

Now it has become a major hang-up delaying renewal of the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program, which Republicans and Democrats alike largely support.

The House and Senate twice have approved bills to renew SCHIP. President Bush vetoed the first bill and is threatening to veto the second, which received final approval from Congress last week.

That bill would add an estimated 4 million beneficiaries to the program, which provides coverage for children from families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. It currently provides benefits to about 6 million children.

At a cost of $35 billion, the expanded program would be paid for through an increase in tobacco taxes, including a 61-cent rise on a package of cigarettes.

FULL story at link.

[soothsayer]

1. It's wrong to hang this on the back of tobacco users. Pay for it yerselves

if you want it so bad.

[Bitwit1234]

2. What I can't understand is why the Republicans are so upset that ineligible children

would get coverage. Since republicans run most of the governmental programs, does this mean, that anybody can walk in, sign up and get coverage. Does this mean republicans do not require documentation. They don't required birth certificates, proof of the parents salaries etc.

If this means that the republicans can't run another agency correctly then why are they complaining ineligible children are getting coverage.