Playing Chicken with Children’s Health Care
For Republicans, this S-CHIP bill is the worst threat of all: a bipartisan bill to expand a government program that actually works, and a chance for this Democratic Congress to deliver. That’s like kryptonite to Republicans, who honestly seem to think that America’s gain would be a Republican loss if it’s passed by a Democratic Congress.
I wasn’t kidding when I said that these guys have declared war on children’s health in this country. The President didn’t just threaten to veto a bill — he’s welching on his promises to governors to fund the programs they put in place. He put up a slew of arbitrary new red-tape for states trying to enroll kids in S-CHIP, but worst of all, he took steps that will actually kick kids off their health insurance in Massachusetts.
After signing deals with states to finance families with incomes up to 300% of poverty, the Administration has now drawn an arbitrary line in the sand at 250% — which sounds like a lot until you realize just how ridiculously low the poverty line is, and how shockingly expensive health care has become. Insurance is up 73% in the last 5 years alone.
Don’t believe me that 250% is too low? Just ask Bush’s former Budget Director, Mitch Daniels. Think 250% of poverty should make you too rich for government to help with your kids’ health insurance? Not in George Bush’s America. It’s $50,000 for a family of four. You know how much that family pays for health insurance? $12,000. Those families aren’t trying to cheat the government. For them it’s S-CHIP or no health care at all. These same families will end up costing everyone more money when their kids end up in the emergency room — which this President seemed to think is a good substitute for health insurance. It’s not compassionate, it’s not really conservative, and it sure as hell isn’t smart.
If we don’t fund children’s health care soon, our kids could lose their coverage. This President is playing a game of chicken with our children. S-CHIP is the kind of program that lets kids get the care that prevents a girl with an earache from losing her hearing, or helps a boy who can’t read so well get the eye exam that lets him know he needs glasses so he can read the chalk board at school.
This may sound corny but it’s true: You can’t put a price tag on having healthy, happy children. I fought hard in the Senate to expand this program by $50 billion, just like the House did. In the end, we didn’t have the votes, and I supported a $35 billion increase as the best option on the table. Lots of Republicans voted for it — people like Orrin Hatch of Utah. That put right-wing hysterics and hucksters in a tough spot: is Orrin Hatch part of a secret plot to socialize medicine? Is Orrin Hatch part of a vast left-wing conspiracy?
Those Republicans willing to stand up and do the right thing threw a wrench in the usual tactics of fear — demonizing good social policies that help real Americans as “socialized” or “European” when actually they’re just smart. But some Republicans would rather cover for the ideologue-in-chief than cover America’s children. It’s time for the rest of the Roadblock Republicans to show some spine and override the President’s veto.
America’s families don’t care where their insurance comes from — parents just want to make sure that when their kids get sick, they’ll get the treatment they need.
Republicans have to stop blocking every bill this Democratic Congress passes. Delay used to be just one thuggish Congressman — now it’s become the Republican way of life. I hope my Republican colleagues will join me and pass a bill that will insure millions of uninsured kids across America. But if they can’t hold their noses and vote with Democrats to do what’s right for America’s kids, at least have the decency to get out of our way.
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Senator Kerry,
Thank you for being the voice of pure reason on this. Your leadership is noticed - and appreciated.
Beyond this, I don’t know what to say that hasn’t been said a thousand times. That this president should choose to veto this bill leaves me speechless. His arrogance, cruelty, and selfishness are boundless. The same goes for all republicans in congress who support his misguided - and downright immoral - standards.
Thank you for your efforts to support children’s healthcare, Senator.
The problem is, conservatives believe “government programs don’t work.” So they can’t accept that any program is successful - in fact it isn’t “successful” to a Republican, if it is possibly preventing profits from accruing to some private corporation. You see, to them it isn’t about the children at all, it is about the ideology of “the right to profit” over all other objectives.
Frankly, I don’t know why anyone would vote for a person to run a government, who believes that government is dysfunctional by nature, and disbelieves that government actually can function for the benefit of the people in some situations. I just don’t know why anyone would hire them. That would be like my hiring a roofer who doesn’t believe that roofs can be made to that don’t leak.
As for “compassionate conservative” - biggest oxymoron ever.
Thank you for your leadership on this issue Senator Kerry.
This is probably one of the most important things the Congress can do to protect children and give parents peace of mind.
Again, Mr. Bush shows his immoral side to veto Children’s Healthcare, he will ask for 190 Billion dollars to continue his immoral attack on a sovereign country and killing thousands and thousands of people, now he continues to take assault on American children.
Thank you for your insight and the fight to do what is right for low income children.
Thank you, Senator Kerry. To be honest, I am flummoxed that the president would fight this. Has he lost all his marbles? This is the kind of program this gets broad support, even in red districts. I can’t figure out who would give him such poor advice.
I also recommend this to everyone here to watch this NOW program on how funding shortfalls affect the states and the kids living there:
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/327/index.html
You certainly have a way with words, Senator Kerry! It is really a disgrace to have a president in office whose priorities lie with enriching his cronies and himself at the expense of American children’s health and young Americans’ lives.
Luckily, some of his fellow Republicans appear to have seen the light - not saying they have grown a conscience all of a sudden. That would be too much to ask. It is probably the light of next year’s election and its consequences that is looming brightly over their heads now.
Will the illumination hold long enough for them to override Bush’s veto? As you said; it is time for them to show some spine. A bit difficult for invertebrates, if you ask me.
Thank you, Senator Kerry, for your ongoing efforts and leadership on this. Our children deserve better than what they are being dealt by this administration, and you are doing your best to give it to them.
I was in the local emergency room the other day (nothing wrong with TOM, thank god), but plenty long enough to look into the eyes of the parents and kids who were there because they had no other place to go. George Bush doesn’t go to the funerals of American kids killed in Afganistan and Iraq. And I bet he doesn’t spend any time in emergency rooms either. Seeing isn’t always believing, but it doesn’t hurt. George Bush and the Republicans are the worst kind of cowards, so enthralled by their abstract ideas (which just happen to steer the vast majority of the country’s wealth into the hands of a tiny few) that they cannot, and will not, use their own eyes to see their fellow citizens struggling to pay for health care. It’s one thing to put off a doctor’s visit for yourself, but what can hurt more than having a child in pain and not being able to get your child the care she needs?
WOW - that’s a helluva post. Health care is the issue closest to my heart, quite literally - I had three open heart surgeries before I was 18. I have no idea what I would’ve done - or if I’d even be alive right now - if my dad hadn’t had benefits, or if he’d been fired. Your bill literally saves lives. It’s about damn time health care became a right for all Americans, not a privilege that only the well-to-do and employed can afford. I will never forget that you stepped up to the plate for us, and I will also sure as hell never forget the Republicans who care more about CEOs making profit than the lives of children.
My daughter is 20, married, has a son, is in college (using Hope Scholarship in Georgia), and working part time. Her husband is also in a technical school and works full time. Neither have insurance. My grandson is using “Peach Care”.
Without the “Hope Scholarship” and “Peach Care” their lives would be much different. Fortunately they are both healthy, but it scares me that they don’t have, and can’t afford, insurance for themselves.
The dream has to start somewhere and we as Americans need to do everything we can to help those who want to help themselves. Even if they are starting off slowly, they are still headed in the right direction.
Without these two programs they would have little chance of getting beyond where they are now. Thank you for supporting this program and if you run again, you would have my vote...again.
WOW !!!!! Senator Kerry, that is some statement!
My favorite parts:
“ ..."compassionate conservatism” is an Orwellian smokescreen for the same old Republican policies...”
Referring to Bush:
“This is the same guy who never met a Republican spending bill he couldn’t sign...”
“Families support it. Doctors support it. Hospitals support it. Many Republican governors support it. Hell, even insurance companies like this bill! This is a bill that just passed the Senate with a whopping 69 votes!”
Republicans:
“Because if they can’t hold their noses and work with Democrats to do what’s right for America’s kids, at least have the decency to get out of our way.”
And finally:
“If we don’t fund children’s health care soon, our kids could lose their coverage. This President is playing a game of chicken with our children. S-CHIP is the kind of program that lets kids get the care that prevents a girl with an earache from losing her hearing, or helps a boy who can’t read so well get the eye exam that lets him know he needs glasses so he can read the chalk board at school.”
Senator Kerry, thank you for your passion on this issue. As a parent, grandparent and elementary school teacher out here in California (land of the expensive), this issue is close to my heart.
>>>>>>>>>>>
When I started as a new teacher, many of my students were suffering and unable to concentrate on learning because of negligence (in the richest country in the world) of their health care needs. Housing prices here start at about $400,000. Rent averages $2000. a month. Gas is $3.00 per gallon and since Enron, utilities have skyrocketed. My children are grown, but I wonder how young families make it sometimes. How do they afford gas to get to work, food on the table, let alone any kind of insurance?
I’ve seen a profound difference in the kids in my classroom since children’s health care was first funded. Kids get glasses. They have the proper immunizations. Those with asthma get inhalers, etc. That’s how it should be in the richest country in the world.
My last, favorite quote from your post, Senator:
Half-trillion dollars on the road to quagmire in Iraq? Bring it on. But a few billion a year for health care for millions of kids? Forget it. Not this President. Not the “compassionate conservative.”
He’s going to lose THIS game of chicken, sir, thanks you you and the Democrats in Congress. You have my greatest appreciation.
John Kerry is right on target again.This man is a statesman with the interest of the people He is one of the best people in the senate. I only wish he was President today the United States and the world would be a much better place!
I can’t believe what a heartless man President Bush is. I am shocked he still has 30% of the country approving of him. In the 1970s, I never though we could get a creepier President than Nixon - but Bush is far far worse.
It really hurts to think how much better off the country and the world would be if more people could have been brave enough or smart enough to accept your vision of a much much better world. You were the most inspiring candidate of my life time. Since 2004, my admiration for you because of the causes you have choosen and the brilliance and energy you bring to them has only increased. America lost a great President (and an equally great first lady.)
Bush is not a heartless man - he’s stupid...so was the other 51% in the 2004 election.