Boozman: SCHIP Concerns Resonating

First posted on 10-17-2007

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today issued the following statement on news of a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll published Tuesday which shows over half of Americans believe children’s health insurance should benefit needy children first, while holding large concerns that the current program will lead to many Americans dropping private insurance:

“The primary message, that needy American children should be first in line for SCHIP benefits, is resonating with the American public. This is an indicator that, as Americans continue to learn more about this hastily-crafted legislation, they realize that, while a noble concept, the SCHIP plan vetoed by the President represents very bad policy.

“No one in Washington is against SCHIP, no matter the rhetoric. Children today are receiving the same benefits they were entitled to on September 30. Everyone in Washington wants to expand SCHIP to cover even more children. The question is the ‘how,’ and, in my opinion, the current ‘how’ is not very responsible.

“SCHIP is a valuable tool, created by Republicans, which benefits millions of children which do not have access to health care. We have a duty in Congress to provide for them in a fiscally responsible way which guarantees that those children in families making less than twice the poverty level are the first children we take care of. The current plan stripped away the guarantee that 95% of needy children receive SCHIP benefits before the program is expanded to other groups. How can you call this legislation a children’s health bill when children are not guaranteed the money this program was created to provide them?

“As we get closer to the vote, it is important to recognize the fatal flaws of the legislation, namely: America’s needy children are not at the head of the line; the funding scheme to pay for it needs 22 million new smokers which no one – even the bill’s supporters – really wants; and that millions of illegal immigrants will be able to access benefits at an estimated cost of $3 billion to Americans.

“For two weeks, the Congress has had the opportunity to come together and find true compromise which will actually benefit the children of America. Instead, we have done nothing. Those wishing to talk have been rebuked by the other side. We need to move forward now and put together an SCHIP plan which fixes the major problems with the current legislation and show the American people that we can do more than just play games with children’s lives.”

NOTE: In the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, 52% of Americans agree President Bush that most benefits should go to children in families earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level — about $41,000 for a family of four. Only 40% say benefits should go to families earning up to $62,000, as the bill written by Democrats and some Republicans would allow. Additionally, 55% are very or somewhat concerned that the program would create an incentive for families to drop private insurance. Bush and Republican opponents have called that a step toward government-run health care.