Reid rejects compromise on SCHIP

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/reid-rejects-compromise-on-schip-2007-10-04.html

Reid rejects compromise on SCHIP
By Manu Raju
October 04, 2007

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) strongly rejected talks of reaching a compromise with the White House on a children’s healthcare bill on Thursday, a day after President Bush vetoed the popular measure and appealed to Congress to find middle ground on the issue.

“That to me is insulting, for this man to talk about compromise,” Reid said.

Arguing that the measure is too costly and goes beyond the program’s intent of insuring low-income children, Bush vetoed legislation on Wednesday that would have extended the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for 10 years and expanded it to cover other children at the cost of an additional $35 billion. Recognizing the popularity of the program and the heavy criticism being leveled at him by Democrats and key Republicans, the president said he wants to reach an accord below the $35 billion level.

But Reid and top Democrats said Thursday they are in no mood to negotiate, and plan to pressure about 15 House Republicans to switch their votes, which would allow them to override the veto when the House takes up the measure on Oct. 18. The Senate appears to have enough votes to override the veto.

“He should understand that what he’s done with his macho pen is whack 10 million children,” Reid said, adding that he’s “absolutely” ruling out going below the $35 billion expansion.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/reid-rejects-compromise-on-schip-2007-10-04.html

Republicans are with you and it's LONG past time to do what's good for the country again.

the bastard wants to deny sick kids care--what the hell more ammo do you need?!

Just to turn lemons into lemonade, the framing for this issue couldn't be simpler. Repeat after me. "Bush hates children." "Bush hates children." "Bush hates children."

If the Bushies are going to use the Nazi's Big Lie technique to propagandize, we can counter it with the Big Truth - "Bush hates children." We can keep this up all the way to election day next year and make SCHIP drag down the entire GOP.

who will ultimately end up paying for this. rec'd

Contrary to the LIE that Bush said about it not being funded, it most certainly is. The House bill funds it with a 45 cent Federal tax on each pack of cigarettes and the Senate bill uses a whopping 61 cent tax. I think it's brilliant. It will hopefully discourage young people from starting to smoke and encourage others (including parents of young children) to quit, which will benefit childrens health as well. Chronic ear infections and asthma are much more common in children of smokers.

The tobacco growing states are worried about loosing money:

http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=29761

"Studies have determined that the demand for tobacco products is extremely sensitive to price increases. In other words, a significant increase in cigarette prices will result in the average consumer purchasing fewer cigarettes."

Good, I say!

"There is one demographic shift that could stave off a revenue loss -- an increase in the number of smokers! Under both the House and the Senate plan, West Virginia could provide the SCHIP program without a loss in state revenues by adding 250,000 new smokers in the next 10 years. Not likely."

Nor is it desireable. What they aren't acknowleging is that their state health care costs will also go down if they have fewer smokers.

Just like "Deep Throat" said, "Follow the money". In this case, right to Big Tobacco's doorstep.

quit - or, more likely, buy cigs on the black market cheaper?

they would legalize marijuana and tax THAT. Nevertheless, I consider it a win-win and the tobacco growing states could too. If people smoke, they contribute significant dollars to the fund for health care for children, whose health is greatly impacted by second hand smoke. If they decide to quit, the ex-smoker, their children, and their employers will benefit from lower health care costs and less worktime loss due to smoking related illnesses.

"Direct healthcare costs of smoking in West Virginia are currently estimated by the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health at over $1 billion per year. Tobacco use is the number one cause of all cancers and emphysema, and is a leading preventable cause of heart disease and stroke. Among pregnant women, tobacco use is a major contributor to low birth weight and premature delivery. West Virginia has the highest smoking rate among pregnant women in the country, 26.8 percent, which is more than double the U.S. rate of 10.2 percent."

http://www.wvha.org/Tobacco%20Free/toolkit/Tobacco%20Toolkit%20Cover%20and%20Introduction.pdf

righteous rant, way to go, Harry...:thumbsup:

Reid said...

and will be villified all over the MSM for it. But Reid is correct. Children WILL die while they play politics, there is no way to get around that.

Amd I just love the term "macho pen."

That was brilliant on Reid's part.

....stand your FN ground on this. This is NOT some political issue....it is about kids, kids that NEED health insurance.

DO IT FOR THE KIDS...AND TELL * TO GO FUCK HIMSELF!

“That to me is insulting, for this man to talk about compromise,” Reid said.

As if Reid hasn't bent over for Bush more times than we can all count.

I appreciate him finally taking a stand, but this feigned outrage is insulting to US.