U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole says the current expansion plans for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (pronounced Ess-CHIP) don’t make good sense.
“First of all, I’m supporting extending the current program for 18 months, because I’m strong supporter of SCHIP and think it’s a good program and don’t want political fights to hurt continued coverage for North Carolina children,” she said.
But, she says, there are flaws in the current bill before the Senate: It would cover adults. It would move children from private insurance to government rolls, she said. It would cost an additional $35 billion over five years. And it relies on a tobacco tax, which she said would hurt growers and industry in North Carolina.
“I hope Congress can go back to the drawing boards and come back with an acceptable bill that holds true to (the program’s) original intent, which is health care for low-income children who are not eligible for Medicaid.”
President Bush has threatened to veto the bill.
More after the jump.
–––––
Last week, Gov. Mike Easley wrote the delegation asking them to support the SCHIP program. It is set to expire Sept. 30 if Congress doesn’t extend it, putting thousands of children at risk in North Carolina, he said.
The program, N.C. Health Choice, now funds about 113,000 children between the ages of 6 and 18 with the help of $167 million in federal dollars.
Blog RSS feed
Re: Dole: SCHIP plan doesn't make sense
Liddy Dole just hates children and loves the money special interest lobbyists from the insurance industry bribes her with.