President Violated Federal Law on Program for Children (SCHIP)

[babylonsister]

President Is Rebuffed on Program for Children
By Robert Pear



WASHINGTON - The Bush administration violated federal law last year when it restricted states’ ability to provide health insurance to children of middle-income families, and its new policy is therefore unenforceable, lawyers from the Government Accountability Office said Friday.


The ruling strengthens the hand of at least 22 states, including New York and New Jersey, that already provide such coverage or want to do so. And it significantly reduces the chance that the new policy can be put into effect before President Bush leaves office in nine months.

At issue is the future of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, financed jointly by the federal government and the states. Congress last year twice passed bills to expand the popular program, and Mr. Bush vetoed both.

State officials of both parties say the policy, set forth in a letter to state health officials on Aug. 17, has stymied their efforts to cover more children at a time when the number of uninsured is rising and more families are experiencing economic hardship.

In a formal legal opinion Friday, the accountability office said the new policy “amounts to a marked departure” from a longstanding, settled interpretation of federal law. It is therefore a rule and, under a 1996 law, must be submitted to Congress for review before it can take effect, the opinion said.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/19/8394/

[Wilms]

1. Family Values, etc. n/t

[EV_Ares]

2. we need a list of how many laws he has violated. Can't you imagine how

long that would be.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Arrest. Torture. Hold for 7 years. Release?

That's my Rx.

[Swamp Rat]

5. Release?!?

Think of the children!!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. Get the Heinz out, baby!

[indepat]

4. Me thinks the administration does not give a shit if some silly-assed Federal law is violated: after

all, this is hardball, we're not children, and the neocondrals play for keeps, taking no prisoners. :D

[Swamp Rat]

6. Why am I not surprised?

[Fireweed247]

7. evil bastards

there is no other explanation
If only we had a Congress that embraced the notion of checks and balances...
www.peacecandidates.com