SCHIP passes Senate while economy drops ("unborn child" amendment fails)

[uppityperson]

Edited to add info about the amendment that failed.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog_post/schip_passes/

In a step towards providing health care to millions of children around the country, the Senate this morning passed the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP.

"As the worsening economy causes families to lose their jobs and health insurance, it is vital that we redouble our efforts to ensure that every child in America has access to affordable health care," President Obama said in a statement. "Providing health care to more than ten million children through the Children's Health Insurance Program will serve as a down payment on my commitment to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable health care."

It's a happy note alongside yet another piece of ugly economic news. The Commerce Department reported this morning that in the last three months of 2008, the economy shrank faster than it has at any time in the past quarter century -- an annual rate of nearly 4%.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/29/AR2009012900325.html?hpid=topnews

WASHINGTON -- The Senate has approved legislation that would increase spending on children's health insurance and extend government-sponsored coverage to 4 million uninsured children.

The bill passed 66-32 and now goes back to the House, where a similar measure was approved two weeks ago.

Democratic lawmakers consider the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program one of their top domestic priorities.

They have moved quickly this year to renew the program and give President Barack Obama an early political victory. ...(more)

http://www.earnedmedia.org/sbal0130.htm

Senate Vote Likely to Lead to More Abortions

Hatch Amendment to Codify Unborn Child Rule to State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Defeated in Senate Washington

Today the president of the Susan B. Anthony List commented on the Senate's defeat of an amendment sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) that would have permanently codified the Unborn Child Rule in the State Children's Health Insurance Program:

"This action suggests that 59 senators are more committed to the demands of the abortion industry than to caring for the health of pregnant women and their unborn children," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "President Obama has said that he wants to reduce the number of abortions, but this misguided vote is likely to lead to more abortions. We are disappointed that President Obama failed to use his influence to persuade the Senate majority to preserve a policy that has affirmed pregnant women and their unborn children."

In 2002, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revised the definition of the term "child" under the SCHIP program to clarify that an unborn child may be considered a low-income child for the purposes of eligibility for the program. Currently, 14 states have approved plans to provide SCHIP coverage to children before birth, including President Obama's home state of Illinois, Arkansas, California, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. The rule can be rescinded at any time by the Obama Administration. A December report sent to the Obama-Transition Team by abortion groups called for abortion coverage in any government health care program.

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced an amendment to permanently codify the Unborn Child Rule in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill yesterday. The measure effectively ensures that states can preserve the option to protect the health and rights of both the mother and the unborn child. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 39 to 59.

[WI_DEM]

1. Excellent, anything that extends health benefits is good.

[lamp_shade]

2. I watched the whole thing. The DIALOGUE between Hatch and Boxer

was a thing of beauty. He insisted he was NOT injecting Roe vs. Wade into his amendment... but she wouldn't have any of it. He came close to crying. She didn't give an inch. She scolded him but good.

[sharp_stick]

3. Susan B. Anthony List?

What the hell is that? I guess anyone can form a group and inject themselves into a debate but shit, there seem to be dozens of these fundie RW asshole groups for every member of congress, I can't keep them straight anymore.