States Standing Up For Kids

Part of the conservative misinformation campaign [1] on the State Children's Health Insurance Program is to stoke division between the states, and play on resentment towards New York. As Sen. Saxby Chambliss says [2], "I don’t think Georgia taxpayers ought to be subsidizing a family in New York making $80,000 a year."

Is it working? Based on what local papers are saying, doesn't look like it.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal [3] makes the key point, the whole point of the State Children's Health Insurance Program is that states have the flexibility to do what's necessary to cover their uninsured:

The president's determination to protect the private insurance industry demonstrates loyalty to the interests that put him in office. But the private market has failed to cover young people, and now the Bush administration wants to restrain the state-run program from reaching them, as well.

States, in fact, are in a better position than the federal government to determine eligibility for health care programs. It's unfortunate that -- unless Democrats in Congress are able to reverse this decision -- more children will go without insurance coverage as a result.

The Des Moines Register [4] appears more interested in taking care of Iowa's kids than bashing New York's kids:

The Bush administration seems to regard SCHIP as "a communicable disease, imposing virtually impossible standards," said Kevin Concannon, director of the Iowa Department of Human Services. In reality, the program has cost-effectively provided health-care coverage for millions of American children.

Anita Smith, administrator of Hawk-I, Iowa's version of SCHIP, said the changes will make it more difficult for Iowa to expand health care to children.

...

The president didn't like what Congress was doing. He took matters into his own hands.

Except this is a democracy.

Congress must craft the reauthorization so it clarifies rules and federal authority for an administration intent on limiting the program. It must make clear that the program will be expanded. Because in this democracy, most people want children to have health insurance.

Vermont's Republican governor also is more interested in his own state's kids. From the Brattleboro Reformer: [5]

Republican Gov. Jim Douglas is outraged by the Bush administration's plan to limit a health insurance plan for children.

"He's livid," said Jason Gibbs, the governor's spokesman.

Douglas called the policy change "unconscionable" yesterday, responding to a letter issued Friday by the Department of Health and Human Services that surprised state officials by outlining a plan that could make 2,100 Vermont children ineligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program.

"I am disappointed and dismayed by the Bush administration's recent actions regarding SCHIP and by the shortsightedness that seems to continually emanate from Washington," Douglas said in a statement.

Alabama's Anniston Star [6] grasps the White House's priorities:

The White House has found a hill to die on. The administration with the patience of Job has looked the other way at endless mistakes by Iraq's feckless leadership. It puts up with an attorney general whose credibility is in the ditch. It whistles past mounting GOP scandals. And it tolerates policy mistakes that have handed power over to its political rivals — both in the short run and most likely the long one as well.

But, finally, the administration has had it up to here with an issue — making sure more children have health insurance.

And in the spirit of unity, let's give the New York Daily News [7] the last word:

By administrative fiat, Bush has crippled Gov. Spitzer's plan to open federally funded insurance to more working-class families - a plan passed with wide bipartisan support. California Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger got similarly slammed, as did other state executives.

...

One statement vividly sums up Bush's attitude: "People have access to health care in America. After all, you just go to an emergency room."

If Bush gets his way, Spitzer's plan to achieve near-universal coverage for New York children will never get off the ground. Ditto for efforts in other states, where elected officials are trying to ease a health care crisis the feds have ignored. Congress must come to the rescue. The nation's children deserve nothing less.

Bash New York all you want. But in the end, voters across the country will realize that bashing New York doesn't improve the health of one more kid.

UPDATE: DailyKos' revelwoodie of New Jersey, the state that currently has the highest income limit for SCHIP, tells "My family's SCHIP tragedy": [8]

Our insurance company has denied coverage for most of my children's medical bills ... Last month we had to make a choice: keep the health insurance or pay the mortgage.

We now have no insurance.

...

Even according to my state's generous standards, my family does not qualify for SCHIP.

We are too "wealthy" to get medical care for our children.