Bush to veto Schip...Again

Senate Passes SCHIP Again, Bush to Screw Over Sick Kids...Again

Posted by Joe Sudbay at 7:04 AM on November 2, 2007.

Joe Sudbay: Hey, they're just sick kids. What's the big deal? His kids have health care.

This post, written by Joe Sudbay, originally appeared on AMERICABlog

They must be all excited at the Bush White House tonight. Bush gets to pull out his veto pen again. And, one more time, he gets to screw sick kids. The Senate passed the children's health insurance bill tonight:

The Senate passed a new bill Thursday expanding a popular children's health insurance program, despite the lingering threat of a veto from President Bush.

The bill -- which boosts the number of low-income children covered by the State Children's Health Insurance Program -- was recently passed by the House, but without the veto-proof margin it received in the Senate.

Bush vetoed the first SCHIP bill and is expected to veto this one.

"There's a bill moving through Congress that's disguised as a bill to help children, but I think it's really a trick on the American people," the president said Wednesday.

Oh, that Bush. He's such a joker. You know he's giddy about vetoing SCHIP again. Hey, they're just sick kids. What's the big deal? His kids have health care. Why is Bush supposed to worry about other people's children?

Via Alternet

theteach

SCHIP is Back, House to Vote Again This Week

Via Alternet:

This post, written by Scarecrow, originally appeared on FireDogLake

Last night Speaker Pelosi announced she would bring a slightly revised SCHIP funding bill to the House floor for a vote -- today (Thursday). The revised bill still provides $35 billion in additional funds and health coverage for 10 million children, but it makes a few changes to counter the Bush Administration's misrepresentations and opponent's alleged concerns.

As Pelosi promised last week, the plan is to enact the full SCHIP funding again, and if the President is foolish and heartless enough to veto it again, attempt another override, with the opposition having even fewer excuses to vote no. This type of strategy is exactly what many progressives have been hoping from the Democratic leadership when they know the public is solidly behind them against an out-of-touch, unpopular President. It's not just good politics; it's good public policy, because this program deserves passage and has the overwhelming support of the American people.

From Speaker Pelosi's statement:

"It's supported by a bipartisan coalition, Democrats and Republicans across the country. Republican and Democratic governors support the SCHIP initiative. Every organization that you can name, from the AARP to the YWCA, and everything in between, AMA, the Catholic Hospital Association, Families First, are lobbying for the passage of this legislation. . . .

"The focus is on the poor children. These are poor children. The poorest children receive their health care through Medicaid. Then just above that tier, the working poor families, the focus is there and we're very proud of the legislation.

theteach