A republican controlled Congress created SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) in 1997 to help the poor - those up to 200% of the poverty level. Now many of the Democrats want to double current spending to $60 billion over the next 5 years. This new program will create a new middle class entitlement. Today some 6.6 million youngsters are covered at a cost of $25 billion over 5 years. The new Democrat bill raises the coverage to 9 million youngsters for a total of $60 billion. The increase will be “paid” for by a 61 cent increase in the tobacco tax. What if cigarette sales decline, who makes up the difference? This bill enables those having private insurance to cancel their private insurance and enroll in subsized care. One fact that is not mentioned by the media is that some of those to be covered: could include families with incomes over $83,000. This is a pure political tactic by the Democrats since when this bill is vetoed, the liberal party can call Bush a president that does not care about children. The fact is that Bush seeks a 20% rise in annual spending for the program. Has the media written about that?

Gary E. Marsella

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