No family planning and no medical care. Makes sense...
21
"One child death is a tragedy. 17.000 child deaths is a statistic."
Republicans
Republicans
24
"I want everyone else to pay for my kids"
Democrats
Democrats
6
Wait a minute! I thought the ACA was the new healthcare law and the exchanges and other new insurance options were supposed to make healthcare available to all; with subsidies going out to a family of 4 making $94,000 a year.
Birth control is now free, as are a myriad of childhood vaccinations, physicals, etc. Why does CHIP still exist? Are these kids not a part of a family plan; a plan that the family must purchase under the law? Did we not expand eligibility for subsidies, special interest groups (unions, Congress) get execptions, and medicaid?
Congress voted to expand CHIP back in the mid-2000s. And as a result, I have friends that took their kids off their family plans, which they could well pay for, and put them on CHIP. They said, 'everyone else is doing it, why not us?' That seems to be the mantra today - do it, even though it is wrong, because everyone is taking something or breaking the rules.
Close down CHIP, or overhaul the ACA, but you can't have both.
Birth control is now free, as are a myriad of childhood vaccinations, physicals, etc. Why does CHIP still exist? Are these kids not a part of a family plan; a plan that the family must purchase under the law? Did we not expand eligibility for subsidies, special interest groups (unions, Congress) get execptions, and medicaid?
Congress voted to expand CHIP back in the mid-2000s. And as a result, I have friends that took their kids off their family plans, which they could well pay for, and put them on CHIP. They said, 'everyone else is doing it, why not us?' That seems to be the mantra today - do it, even though it is wrong, because everyone is taking something or breaking the rules.
Close down CHIP, or overhaul the ACA, but you can't have both.
12
Seems counterproductive. If you want more serfs to fill jobs and vote for you, you need to encourage more serfs.
10
I am appalled at the mean streak running through practically everything the Republican Party touches. Having fewer children covered by CHIP is another example of the Republican's mean spirit. And to think they claim to be Christians! Christ would be appalled at the way his name is being used.
34
Would Christ not be appalled at those that game the system? If you are a taxpayer and also paying for your children's insurance then don't you have the right to expect that those you are helping with your tax dollars get health care for their kids actually deserve the help?
3
Let the states fund it. Red states that won't fund education or health care will have poor, uneducated children by their own choice. The red states currently receive more federal money than they pay in. Why should the rest of the country subsidize their poor governing.
8
Sure, Michael, Texas is full of three-year-olds with Republican leanings and poor governing skills. They should all be subjected to medical neglect. I'm sure that will help them grow out of it.
28
I'm sure that the poor, uneducated children of those states will grow up to appreciate your kindhearted take on this situation.
13
There is not enough information in this opinion to arrive at a conclusion one way or another. I know it is easy to cast these people as monsters who want to kill children, but I doubt that is really the case. Let them make their case in your opinion pages.
7
Too often, they don't want to make their explanation of why they do what they do in what they call MSM, but prefer to go to FOX News.
What we have read today may well be one sided and there may be far more to this issue than we have been privy to so far. However, from past experiences about how the Republicans deal with social welfare issues over all, the tendency to jump instantly into assuming the worst probably is reasonable.
What we have read today may well be one sided and there may be far more to this issue than we have been privy to so far. However, from past experiences about how the Republicans deal with social welfare issues over all, the tendency to jump instantly into assuming the worst probably is reasonable.
10
Paul,
I don't know about that. I've been waiting to see a good, kind, decent motive in them since Nixon, but haven't detected one yet.
I fear this is more of the same.
I don't know about that. I've been waiting to see a good, kind, decent motive in them since Nixon, but haven't detected one yet.
I fear this is more of the same.
20
Lack of information? Your statement would make sense if we had a reasonable suspicion that no children in America currently go without necessary medical care. If there was even anecdotal evidence that the working poor were using the money freed up by CHIP paying their children's medical bills to buy luxury items and services.
Neither of these is true and you certainly must know that if you are a NYT reader.
What is hard to stomach is these same politicians are pushing for an increase in the child tax credit. The reason why I say this is because with CHIP we know that the bulk of the federal dollars will go to medical care for those children who need it, while with the child tax credit the money goes to the parents of all children, healthy or no and is theirs to spend on whatever they like, including alcohol and drugs.
They can certainly make their case. But we do not need to wait to hear it to know that they have no case are are just following an illogical political theology to its illogical conclusion.
Neither of these is true and you certainly must know that if you are a NYT reader.
What is hard to stomach is these same politicians are pushing for an increase in the child tax credit. The reason why I say this is because with CHIP we know that the bulk of the federal dollars will go to medical care for those children who need it, while with the child tax credit the money goes to the parents of all children, healthy or no and is theirs to spend on whatever they like, including alcohol and drugs.
They can certainly make their case. But we do not need to wait to hear it to know that they have no case are are just following an illogical political theology to its illogical conclusion.
3
How many more people must suffer unnecessarily before we awaken collectively as a nation and rid ourselves of the self-inflicted plague of electing Republicans?
30
It's really no surprise- Republicans are willing to stick it to children, too.
28
When will Americans realize that this piecemeal healthcare system we have leaves so many out, costs billions in administration costs, and delivers some of the worst outcomes in the developed world?
Single payer, as proved by countries all over the world, fixes all of those things. Every doctor will take your insurance and you won't have to worry about co-pays, premiums, deductibles, etc.
Why would anyone not want that??!
Single payer, as proved by countries all over the world, fixes all of those things. Every doctor will take your insurance and you won't have to worry about co-pays, premiums, deductibles, etc.
Why would anyone not want that??!
35
You should ask President Obama, when the Democrats controlled both houses of Congress, that question.
Single payer will never happen. Pick another unicorn to hope for,
Single payer will never happen. Pick another unicorn to hope for,
5
The tiny savings (a few billions in multi-trillion dolLar economy) realized from viciously gouging out a bit of funding for these valuable programs for the youngest and most vulnerable Americans is a way for the newbies entering the GOP circus ring to earn their stripes before most of them inevitably realize their corporate/lobbyist/think tank paydays and/or when they seek higher office. But hey, no pain, no gain.
8
I find it very interesting! Over the last 6 years each and EVERY piece of legislatgion proposed by the republicans as "something that will help America" Always ends up one or two ways. A: the wealthy and corporations PAY LESS TAXES, B: the poor and middleclass get to bend over while holding their ankles while they are instructed to keep smiling!
29
These children should be covered already by the ACA mandate in a family plan for health insurance. If you have a family you have to take the family plan, you are not an individual anymore. When you cover your spouse, the family plan does not count how many kids there are, one or five. Your maternity benefits are always there and newborn care is there. That is where the ACA went wrong, forgetting that even a mother and baby are a FAMILY. We are not all individuals, some people are mothers and fathers and families.
4
The only part of children's lives that matter to these Republicans is while they are still in the womb. Once they are born it's "Let them eat cake"
28
Universal health care. Even if it saves lives of oligarchs too.
46
great idea---shame the people who need this the most keep electing Republicans who are such paragons of " family values"--
12
I'm not sure what the goal is for Senior Republicans in Congress with this revision to current funding for CHIP and I suspect it's not a good thing.
However, I do understand that continuing CHIP in its current form carves children out of the ACA risk pool, makes the pool sicker, and ensures options for those purchasing insurance are poorer - more costly premiums, reduced benefit options such as the controversial drug tiers and narrow networks.
If our goal was to create high quality health insurance for those buying on the individual market, children most definitely must be part of the pool and the more the better. The law stipulated that the previously insured, healthier, underwritten population be included in the ACA pool to balance the risk to insurers of covering the new costlier beneficiaries Congress and the President anticipated sign up. We must also include children in that risk pool.
Other nations run their national health insurance programs by covering all from birth to death. Not doing so is a tacit acknowledgement that what we have built with the ACA really doesn't work.
However, I do understand that continuing CHIP in its current form carves children out of the ACA risk pool, makes the pool sicker, and ensures options for those purchasing insurance are poorer - more costly premiums, reduced benefit options such as the controversial drug tiers and narrow networks.
If our goal was to create high quality health insurance for those buying on the individual market, children most definitely must be part of the pool and the more the better. The law stipulated that the previously insured, healthier, underwritten population be included in the ACA pool to balance the risk to insurers of covering the new costlier beneficiaries Congress and the President anticipated sign up. We must also include children in that risk pool.
Other nations run their national health insurance programs by covering all from birth to death. Not doing so is a tacit acknowledgement that what we have built with the ACA really doesn't work.
12
A minor technical detail: the main prob with the PPACA to date is that the Right has done everything possible to sabotage things.
That's what screwed things up, not the law itself.
That's what screwed things up, not the law itself.
6
"...the ACA really doesn't work." ? Versus what?
Versus what we had before?
Versus Medicare for All that did not have the vote to pass?
One does what one can, not the impossible.
Versus what we had before?
Versus Medicare for All that did not have the vote to pass?
One does what one can, not the impossible.
4
The law is a mess with or without republican interference. Just talk to a health care provider or a hospital administrator. The trend to ACOs, reduced fee-for-service, and the excise tax are going to spell disaster.
3
If Republicans cannot wrap their heads around a single payer system with the goal of a healthy society, they could at least get out of way in providing healthcare for our children. That would be real common sense.
28
Why do they attack everything that works for America? What did they eat when they grew up? Or, do they have a contract with the devil to destroy American's future? Obscene (This is the strongest word a 76-year-old woman can come up with).
40
The program is not "out of money" because it is working.
5
Keep in mind that the Republicans want an economic system which NO successful, industrialized country in the WORLD employs.
Think about why that is. (My personal opinion is that the GOP cares only about power, not about policy)
Think about why that is. (My personal opinion is that the GOP cares only about power, not about policy)
18
This is mean spirited, pure and simple. I suggest we go back to the old days of selling war bonds to pay for our endless involvement in military incursions and funnel our tax dollars into meeting the needs of our people. What will become abundantly clear is that the people will not pay to support directly the war profiteers but would be willing to build schools, maintain highways and care for the health needs of all of our citizens.
26
There is nothing "common sense" about putting the CHIP program in financial trouble. The common sense approach would be to put all children up to 18 years old into the Medicare program.
21
Republicans say they are now for the middle class? I suppose this includes eliminating medical insurance for working Americans children. They are still the party of hungry children, sick children, dirty water, dirty air and the Koch brothers.
35
1. Apparently the political strategy (as with the PPACA) is to sabotage as much as possible, ash the funding as much as possible, then turn around and squawk, "See! i TOLD you this wouldn't work!!"
2. One may look forward to seeing the Right head into a Presidential election season, fighting to take kids' health care away.
Oh, and by the way--if you think this saves money, remember: under Bush's EMTALA health care still has to be supplied, when insurance is lost that care simply becomes more chaotic and expensive, and we all pay for stressed families and sick kids who grow up to be sick adults.
2. One may look forward to seeing the Right head into a Presidential election season, fighting to take kids' health care away.
Oh, and by the way--if you think this saves money, remember: under Bush's EMTALA health care still has to be supplied, when insurance is lost that care simply becomes more chaotic and expensive, and we all pay for stressed families and sick kids who grow up to be sick adults.
19
This should be the tipping point for many about the entire GOP agenda for the last 35 years. Yes, kids. Everything has a price in their magic marketplace. If you have children yourselves, and even if you don't, think long and hard about this. is this anywhere near the country you envision us to be?
25
It seems as though republicans' self aggrandizement may take priority over the health coverage for this country's future, its children, 'not very nice'. Decency and common sense are, again, awol.
11
If officials don`t undertake serious measures millions of children will be left without insurances. This wicked healthcare system only creates problems but there shouldn`t be any problems at all. Healthcare system should work. This is the only way.
5
Just another example of the Republican world view about health care. "Die already" for any poor person who has the nerve to get sick and "the right to life begins at conception (or earlier) and ends at birth." Tell me again which part of the Christianity I grew up with has that set of beliefs.
21
I'm disgusted to the point of nausea with these endless attempts of the Republicans to demonize the poor, trying to portray them as parasites living off the hard work of the 1% - when anyone with a brain knows it's the exact reverse.
20
This is what people get when they vote for Republicans. Anyone who makes less than $250,000 a year and votes for a Republican is a fool.
22
I guess Jesus doesn't love all the children after all.
20
PPACA's protections go a long way to making Sections of CHIP redundant. In addition, CHIP programs that extend coverage above 200% of FPL take healthy kids out of the most stressed risk pools causing private insurance prices to be much higher than necessary for everyone else. It makes a lot more sense for these kids to have subsidized private coverage (like everyone else) rather than a free program with increasingly limited doctors.
CHIP should cut off at 200% of FPL
WR
CHIP should cut off at 200% of FPL
WR
4
And if every state had expended Medicaid and set up its own exchange,nthat would make sense. as it is, not so much.
4
I just dont understand why republicans hate poor people so much. And taking insurance away from kids? How low can you go.
9
Don't worry: the Republicans will think of a way.
8
Once again GOP legislators prove how much they hate the poor and disadvantaged among us. The ACA has really affected their mindset.
8
Is anyone surprised? Welcome the GOP majority, we hope you'll your stay in Pottersville.
3
Once again the party of Jesus comes up with something designed to hurt the most vulnerable people in society. Did any of the Republicans actually read that book they owe fealty to? I think their only real knowledge of the Bible is that it's the thing you put your hand on in court when they're asking you to testify at your own inevitable indictment and trial for things done wrong.
10
And then you plead the fifth.
4
Kids don't vote but their parents do and better get to it
10
Any time I see CHIP, it is forever linked in my memory with an event from the Bush administration. Bush, who at the time had never vetoed a spending bill, vetoed the bill to fund CHIP. Tells you everything you need to know about Republicans.
17
Aren't they now covered by their parents ACA?
4
Ted Kennedy is rolling in his grave...that his "friend" Orrin Hatch would not only participate in such a hate-filled travesty, but attach his name to it.
Who are these monsters...thesepeople who call themselves our leaders? Where are they leading us? Is it just greed or do they really and truly desire to do physical and emotional harm to children???
This is the country my ancestors fought to create...???
Who are these monsters...thesepeople who call themselves our leaders? Where are they leading us? Is it just greed or do they really and truly desire to do physical and emotional harm to children???
This is the country my ancestors fought to create...???
10
What is it with these people? Clearly they hate everyone......
10
Why do we even have CHIPS? Radical reform and simplification is needed.
Our country is strangling on an alphabet soup of healthcare programs and "systems." Today we have, in addition to CHIPs, 50 flavors of medicaid; Medicare (Parts A through D); Medi-Gap; ERISA group plans; non-ERISA group (with 50 sets of regs); PPACA and its various state and federally run exchanges, replete with thousands of individual pricing zones across the states; Tri-Care; VA; and who knows how many state and local charity systems.
We either need single payer like Canada, or a national, private, single-pool market of 318 million insured -- old, young, sick, healthy -- with appropriate subsidies. Getting rid of the complexity and associated admin costs would surely knock off three or four percentage points from our healthcare costs the GDP ratio which is now pushing 18%.
Our country is strangling on an alphabet soup of healthcare programs and "systems." Today we have, in addition to CHIPs, 50 flavors of medicaid; Medicare (Parts A through D); Medi-Gap; ERISA group plans; non-ERISA group (with 50 sets of regs); PPACA and its various state and federally run exchanges, replete with thousands of individual pricing zones across the states; Tri-Care; VA; and who knows how many state and local charity systems.
We either need single payer like Canada, or a national, private, single-pool market of 318 million insured -- old, young, sick, healthy -- with appropriate subsidies. Getting rid of the complexity and associated admin costs would surely knock off three or four percentage points from our healthcare costs the GDP ratio which is now pushing 18%.
8
The mass of penny-wise and pound-foolish, inconsistent and confusing healthcare programs, changing throughout a person's life and also dependent on one's geographic location invite all sorts of gamesmanship and stupidity by Corporate America with the tax payer footing the bill. Not having a single payer, Canadian-style system breeds health outcome disparities (also bankruptcy due to health issues in the richest country on earth). Its like a three-D chess game with Mr. Spock. Its a cash cow for the politicians (and their spouses and families and revolving door staff members) and their corporate paymasters. However, all the complexity and added expense creates many more jobs than a simpler single payer system, so cheer up!
3
Thank you for this editorial. Pieces like this justify a larger subscription to the NYT. As far as the GOP goes, the word "incredible" has lost meaning as an expression of amazement. Again, I say they think they can get away with it because they have to answer to no one but the Koch Brothers and their primary voters. The mad charge to the right redefines the slur RINO. Where are the real Republicans?
6
PLEASE someone, make the Republicans in Congress and their families have the SAME insurance coverage and other benefits that their constituents have. we all know they have coverage that is far superior to what us regular people can get.
it's just not fair.
it's just not fair.
4
The congress voted down an exemption for themselves from ACA, and has to buy Obamacare with their congressional health dollars...very weird, but that is it...because the GOP congressmen wanted the democrats to have to use the ACA for themselves.
1
New GOP Death Panels appear everyday in America.
The GOP refusal to expand Medicaid in GOP Death Panel states has already killed thousands.
Their wish to cut the Children’s Health Insurance Program will now kill children if it becomes law.
Combined with the GOP's unrestricted gun policy and relentless war-hawk policy, your chances of dying in America and abroad because of specific Republican policy are quite high.
Don't ever let Republicans pretend to you that they support a 'culture of life'; they support an unambiguous culture of death.
The GOP refusal to expand Medicaid in GOP Death Panel states has already killed thousands.
Their wish to cut the Children’s Health Insurance Program will now kill children if it becomes law.
Combined with the GOP's unrestricted gun policy and relentless war-hawk policy, your chances of dying in America and abroad because of specific Republican policy are quite high.
Don't ever let Republicans pretend to you that they support a 'culture of life'; they support an unambiguous culture of death.
46
It’s interesting that in 1997 Orrin Hatch was a strong champion of CHIP along with Ted Kennedy. And in 2007 he said, “I have been fighting for legislation that will not only continue the CHIP program, but also cover more low-income kids who are eligible for CHIP.”
And now he obviously would like to do away with it just to please the lowest common denominator of his political base.
And now he obviously would like to do away with it just to please the lowest common denominator of his political base.
8
Hey, kids are just another moocher group on welfare looking for a hand out. The GOP just wants to tell them where to go. And why can't they work for a living, anyway!
7
Once the gop decided that callousness to the health needs of millions, even of children, was acceptable, there are no limits. It's scary how far they go to rationalize anything.
This is just a way to add to the millions already not getting ACA in some states, which has been seen as quite acceptable by governors, congress and the Court. Even pundits favoring ACA stop squawking about it.
The gop can tell parents who can’t afford h/c for their children to just go out and get a 2nd or 3rd job. It's all their own fault. To make health care more difficult to get is a character building reform in gop eyes. The last thing they want is to make h/c easy to access.
Can you relate this to the campaign donations by the medical industry?
Campaign finance corruption has been transformed into free speech in a democracy. As a reflection of the ‘character’ of our Republican congressional criminals.
This is just a way to add to the millions already not getting ACA in some states, which has been seen as quite acceptable by governors, congress and the Court. Even pundits favoring ACA stop squawking about it.
The gop can tell parents who can’t afford h/c for their children to just go out and get a 2nd or 3rd job. It's all their own fault. To make health care more difficult to get is a character building reform in gop eyes. The last thing they want is to make h/c easy to access.
Can you relate this to the campaign donations by the medical industry?
Campaign finance corruption has been transformed into free speech in a democracy. As a reflection of the ‘character’ of our Republican congressional criminals.
10
This 'discussion draft' is no doubt being written by ALEC as we speak. Onwards and upwards with the GOP's relentless reverse Robin Hood policies of funding corporate welfare on the backs of the working poor.
10
I just wish that the Conservatives would stop calling themselves Christian and insisting on us being a Christian nation.
I have never read in any of the Gospels that it was OK to beat down the defenseless. But I have read that "whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me."
And, Republicans, just to clear it up... when he said "Suffer the little children and bring them to me" he was using the word "suffer" to mean "tolerate or accept." It was not an directive to cut their ability to get medical help.
I have never read in any of the Gospels that it was OK to beat down the defenseless. But I have read that "whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me."
And, Republicans, just to clear it up... when he said "Suffer the little children and bring them to me" he was using the word "suffer" to mean "tolerate or accept." It was not an directive to cut their ability to get medical help.
24
Now the GOP war on women is being extended to a war on children.
19
We should point out exactly the impact bills like this have on conservative 'values': Republicans take steps likely to increase abortions with a bill that would deny child healthcare (CHIP) coverage to thousands
5
Punish the children, punish the poor, punish the sick, punish the unemployed, punish the old, punish the weakest and most vulnerable members of society. The Republican Party has become a party of bullies, ignoramuses and hypocrites, weakening the country and embarrassing the nation. Will the American voter jettison this party of shame to the landfill of history?
24
Since when has the NY Times become concerned about costs being dumped on the states? Last I read, the Times is all in favor of Obama's pro-illegal alien strategy which saddles the states will billions of dollars in health, education and prison costs.
7
It appears the Republicans know the price of everything - and the value of nothing. They are such a shameful group.
21
Hello:
An Oscar Wilde fan, eh? Well aid but most probably missed by some.
Regards
An Oscar Wilde fan, eh? Well aid but most probably missed by some.
Regards
1
Bravely confronting the threat of ISIS, no, national debt, no, failing education, no, guns in the hands of the mentally ill, no, crumbling infrastructure, no, wealth concentrated at the top, no, dysfunctional immigration policy, no, vanishing middle class, no, but poor, sick children, yes.
18
A good reality context!
2
The 1% will grow even richer, this time on the backs of poor children. Have these "Republican leaders" have no shame?
12
No -- in place of shame they have a fully formed ideology...money is the root of all virtue. How much money one has is a quantitative measure of it ("job creators", "makers not takers", et al).
In contrast, their interest in child welfare is stuck in the fetal stage...
In contrast, their interest in child welfare is stuck in the fetal stage...
5
How can they have shame if their pockets empty then they are no better than the rest of us its all about making sure there pockets stay full
2
The Cruelty Caucus strikes again. Republicans favor anything that hurts ordinary Americans, particularly the poor and minorities.
15
Will any Republican's children be affected?
7
Goodness, what an outrage. People having to pay their own way in life! That's for Republicans. We Democrats rely on someone else to pay for our needs and wants.
8
I pay federal taxes--and much of what I pay for is utter garbage and welfare for the rich. I'd much rather my taxes paid for what I consider a human right--health care. Working Americans pay a much higher % of their incomes on taxes already than the 1% who in many cases get to claim that their income isn't income at all.
1
Your comment highlights the casual indifference & ignorance promoted by Washington DC Republicans & their lackeys. Health care for poor children = bad, more money for wealthy patrons = good! Only someone living in the DC swamp would consider this a "want" while ignoring the real costs to society of sick children without health insurance.
8
It's interesting how Republicans are willing to spend millions to "defend" someone else's fetus, but not help a child. You can pay for this child now, or pay a lot more when they are an adult.
6
We can invest billion of dollars to the military, for the bunch of immigrants and give them more rights to grab our work places, we can even invest a lot of money for the electorate but for our children it's almost over. Fun.
6
Nice try on sticking poor people who came here to work with the blame for right-wingers trying to chop kids' health insurance.
7
Our governor won't lift a finger to assist with any federal government idea and our attorney general spends all his time suing the feds for the programs passed so it looks like these families may be as they say "s--- out of luck." Our country would rather spend our resources going to foreign lands and enhancing the profits of the military industrial businesses than taking care of people and Republicans would rather be right than compassionate.
24
You must be talking about Public Enemy #1 - Scott Pruitt? He reports to the Koch Brothers and Devon Energy - not to the people of your state.
6
When a conservative says that the government "can't afford" a program like S-CHIP. they aren't using the term in the way we normally expect, that is, that there aren't enough resources around to implement the program or continue to fund it.
What they really mean is that just one pennie expended on such a program would be too much.
What they really mean is that just one pennie expended on such a program would be too much.
24
Yes, and when conservatives say "common sense reforms," you can usually assume that some people will suffer and die who don't have the money or power to defend themselves.
3
As Tokyo Rose once said, "A tiger never loses its stripes." That being said, the GOP's tiger stripes are those mean spirited tattoos that signal to other jungle beasts their personal brand of cruelty. Innocent children are now under prey to the insatiable beast that is never satisfied by inflicting pain against the poor. Tigers live as solitary animals in the dense jungle so they have no allegiance to the vulnerable among them. Their only concern is to remain the top predator in their swath of territory while ensuring that all those other competitors die out including their offspring. Elephants, on the other hand....a political misnomer?
23
Here we go again. In the Republican's never ending quest to shrink federal spending, they go after the weakest of the weak. They go after the children of the poor. Nothing is sacred to them. The world is just numbers on a spreadsheet.
The strategy being used here is becoming commonplace. They use cost shifting. They shift costs to the states, that don't have any money, which then shift costs to the people, who don't have any money. They apply their trickle down economic theories to absolve governments of any responsibility to care for those that can't take care of themselves. It's trickle down, "Its your problem now."
The 12 month waiting period is reprehensible. A child with a chronic condition like asthma cannot wait 12 months for medical help. People aren't as convenient as spreadsheets.
Notice that the proposal contains elements that will allow further cuts in the near future. They are trying to build a law that continuously reduces spending. This, of course, follows their goal of continuously reducing government spending. That is their idea of good governance. Sick kids don't vote. Poor people in general, vote in low numbers. Politics to Republicans is battle where you take advantage of any voting opportunity you can, no matter who you hurt, even if you hurt a bunch of kids.
The strategy being used here is becoming commonplace. They use cost shifting. They shift costs to the states, that don't have any money, which then shift costs to the people, who don't have any money. They apply their trickle down economic theories to absolve governments of any responsibility to care for those that can't take care of themselves. It's trickle down, "Its your problem now."
The 12 month waiting period is reprehensible. A child with a chronic condition like asthma cannot wait 12 months for medical help. People aren't as convenient as spreadsheets.
Notice that the proposal contains elements that will allow further cuts in the near future. They are trying to build a law that continuously reduces spending. This, of course, follows their goal of continuously reducing government spending. That is their idea of good governance. Sick kids don't vote. Poor people in general, vote in low numbers. Politics to Republicans is battle where you take advantage of any voting opportunity you can, no matter who you hurt, even if you hurt a bunch of kids.
78
Nobody is going after the "children of the poor". As the article states,the proposal seeks to reduce benefits for families with incomes that are 250% of the federal poverty level and eliminate benefits for families that are 300% of the federal poverty level.
The federal poverty threshold for a family of four is $24,250. So to be clear, families making $61k well have their benefits reduced. and families with in income of $72, 750 will have their benefits eliminated.
People making $72k are poor? How much money does someone have to make before they are no longer poor? Six figures good enough?
The federal poverty threshold for a family of four is $24,250. So to be clear, families making $61k well have their benefits reduced. and families with in income of $72, 750 will have their benefits eliminated.
People making $72k are poor? How much money does someone have to make before they are no longer poor? Six figures good enough?
3
Thanks,It's hard to find any common sense,in this sea of nonsense from Socialists.
Chris Lydle,
If the premise of the article is flat wrong and the proposed legislation poses no threat to the truly poor, then why don't you write up a fact based rebuttal as an original comment? If you can successfully demonstrate that the article is false and misleading, that should easily earn you a yellow sticker.
If the premise of the article is flat wrong and the proposed legislation poses no threat to the truly poor, then why don't you write up a fact based rebuttal as an original comment? If you can successfully demonstrate that the article is false and misleading, that should easily earn you a yellow sticker.
1
It took me a few minutes after reading this to work out what may be a driving force behind this urge to gut another child centered program.
Then it came to me, the key is the current cost to the states of funding this kind of thing. If one looks at those states that have followed the Republicans 'guaranteed plan for increasing prosperity' (i.e. tax cuts), one sees the great wave of red ink that follows.
The only solution is to end any Federal mandates and allow the states to 'make their own decisions'.
As anyone can see by looking at the states that refused Medicaid expansion, this will just work out fine.
Then it came to me, the key is the current cost to the states of funding this kind of thing. If one looks at those states that have followed the Republicans 'guaranteed plan for increasing prosperity' (i.e. tax cuts), one sees the great wave of red ink that follows.
The only solution is to end any Federal mandates and allow the states to 'make their own decisions'.
As anyone can see by looking at the states that refused Medicaid expansion, this will just work out fine.
31
People aren't sicker now than they used to be, it's that more treatments are available. 50 years ago, or even 20 years ago, a premature baby born at 26 30 weeks of gestation wouldn't survive. Now there are medical advances that will keep that baby alive - expensive neonatal wards, followed by years of therapies and treatments for developmental delays. Diagnostic testing (like MRI and CAT scan), antibiotics and other drugs that treat previously untreatable conditions, and advances in all areas have led to earlier diagnosis and to treatments that didn't used to exist. And all of these are more expensive, which is insurance is necessary to be able to pay for it.
The people nostalgic for the days when kids didn't need to see doctors forget that premature babies most often died, that kids with disabilities were institutionalized, "routine" childhood illnesses often left kids with permanent disabilities like hearing loss, and kids died of things like allergic reactions. Thankfully today there are treatments that can save and lengthen lives, and improve ones quality of life, but those treatments cost more money than most people can afford. Which is why insurance is necessary - it's not that children, or people as a whole are sicker, it's that there's more treatments available.
The people nostalgic for the days when kids didn't need to see doctors forget that premature babies most often died, that kids with disabilities were institutionalized, "routine" childhood illnesses often left kids with permanent disabilities like hearing loss, and kids died of things like allergic reactions. Thankfully today there are treatments that can save and lengthen lives, and improve ones quality of life, but those treatments cost more money than most people can afford. Which is why insurance is necessary - it's not that children, or people as a whole are sicker, it's that there's more treatments available.
23
Insurance is not necessary. What is needed is access to universal care, funded by. "oh horror of horrors," taxpayers. Just like every other developed, dare we say, "civilized," country on this planet. In fact sending money to insurance companies has only contributed to the outrageous cost of health care in this country. Single payer!! EXPAND MEDICARE AS WE KNOW IT TO MEDICARE AS WE NEED IT.
4
How can we get universal care in the US? It unfortunately doesn't seem possible with the idiots in Congress. I often wish I lived in a less embarrassing country.
1
How low can republicans go? Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure they can go to depths unknown in modern times. They don't give a whit about anyone or anything except money.
6
They do care about something else than money. Many of them are very sensitive to what their so-called Christian so-called preachers tell them. As usual, these so-called preachers are saying what the rich among their congregations want them to say.
3
Why, in an editorial like this, does the Times not provide access to the source documents? Given that the impact of a "discussion draft" is necessarily indefinite, readers should have access to the draft itself in order to distinguish between mere whining and justifiable alarm.
Perhaps its unavailable to publish. It is, after all, not a public document but a Republican Party one. At any rate, expressing concern over childrens' health is hardly "whining," a right wing codeword used at its worst here.
2
Every dollar Republicans can save on children's insurance is another dollar they can give in tax breaks and other perks to their corporate sponsors.
8
Corporate masters
1
Republicans do not seem to care who gets hurt in their drive to impose an artificial austerity on the nation. They keep trying to wring out a dry sponge which just makes life tougher for those in society cannot for one reason or another cannot move up the pyramid of wealth. Children have absolutely no control over the conditions they are born into; what in the world is going on in the heads of republicans?
12
As usual the Republican Party is against the 99 percent of the people of the United States in favor of the 1 percent.
11
So interesting that the people who will be most effected by this proposal live in the states where these GOP legislators were elected. And as other readers have pointed out, the GOP very insincerely invokes the mantra 'Christian Values' but really have nothing but contempt for anyone not earning above $200K annually; this is anathema to what Judeo-Chrisian values teach. And yet, the poor and disaffected continue to stream to the polls in AL, MS etc and vote GOP.
15
Republicans aren't stupid. If they believed that a majority of their constituents actually cared about this issue they would address it. Their cynical calculation is that most Americans are too self-focused to care about the working poor and their children, and this plays well with the Tea Party base who hate everything about the Federal government.
14
These people are just children. They will get by without insurance. After all they are young and strong. And if a few don't make it then we have reduced the surplus population.
7
I find it sadly ironic that the program the Republicans are destroying by a thousand cuts is called "CHIP."
Because that's what they're doing: chipping away at the very bones and sinew of a piece of progressive legislation that undoubtedly has had a major impact on the health of our babies and toddlers.
In the new American Dickensian world, the robber barons and their henchmen (purchased politicians) are going after every last penny in a program designed to help low-income Americans. Assuredly, they won't find much in the grand scheme of things, because compared to a potentially huge source of revenue--capital gains tax rates, corporate loopholes, taxation of derivatives, and any number of governmental laws put in place to ensure the preservation and expansion of wealth--CHIP is a pebble in a stream.
And just another GOP attempt to extract every last ounce of social protection in a nation that's becoming increasingly cruel. There are only so many turnips left for the GOP to squeeze before they figure out that there's nowhere else to go.
And then, what will they do?
Because that's what they're doing: chipping away at the very bones and sinew of a piece of progressive legislation that undoubtedly has had a major impact on the health of our babies and toddlers.
In the new American Dickensian world, the robber barons and their henchmen (purchased politicians) are going after every last penny in a program designed to help low-income Americans. Assuredly, they won't find much in the grand scheme of things, because compared to a potentially huge source of revenue--capital gains tax rates, corporate loopholes, taxation of derivatives, and any number of governmental laws put in place to ensure the preservation and expansion of wealth--CHIP is a pebble in a stream.
And just another GOP attempt to extract every last ounce of social protection in a nation that's becoming increasingly cruel. There are only so many turnips left for the GOP to squeeze before they figure out that there's nowhere else to go.
And then, what will they do?
10
States will be allowed to impose a 12 month waiting period before children are eligible for CHIP if their coverage is lost from parents' insurance. A year without insurance. In the life of a young child, a year is long; it's very likely that illness will occur and medical attention needed. Simply, little kids get sick and injured in the course of a year more often than adults. To make medical insurance unavailable to them for a year is to invite illness and injury to be inadequately treated or treated not at all. Doing so goes beyond cynical. It is evil. Again, a familiar question. What kind of a society turns its back on the most innocent and vulnerable, its children?
13
What kind of society? A society where people vote for Republicans.
2
We might have had these conversations in 2009 and 2010. Unfortunately, those who assumed the mantle of U.S. healthcare saviors then lacked the sheer capacity to craft a reformation that works, and were left to fashioning a non-solution that Nancy Pelosi characterized as "the best we could get". The body Democratic really needs to consider hiring more capable surrogates.
It should be noted, while Sen. Orrin Hatch has pledged to replace ObamaCare with a bipartisan framework that WON'T bankrupt us or cause us as a people to be about nothing ELSE than paying for healthcare, that he was a prime architect of the CHIP program and strongly defends its need today.
But the sheer cost of providing unlimited medical service free to all American children can't happen at single-provider levels -- which is what liberals really want -- along with the other objectives of the ACA's "expanded" Medicaid, without that outcome: we subordinate all other social priorities and direct resources largely to funding healthcare. Like much of Europe.
It might have been fairer to establish that Hatch also is one of the strongest congressional supporters to moving doctors out of fee-for-service into more sensible methods for getting them paid. Hatch also is egging on fellow Republicans to come up with an alternative to the ACA in the event that the U.S. Supreme Court kicks the pins out from beneath it later this year with its decision on permissibility of subsidies on federal exchanges.
It should be noted, while Sen. Orrin Hatch has pledged to replace ObamaCare with a bipartisan framework that WON'T bankrupt us or cause us as a people to be about nothing ELSE than paying for healthcare, that he was a prime architect of the CHIP program and strongly defends its need today.
But the sheer cost of providing unlimited medical service free to all American children can't happen at single-provider levels -- which is what liberals really want -- along with the other objectives of the ACA's "expanded" Medicaid, without that outcome: we subordinate all other social priorities and direct resources largely to funding healthcare. Like much of Europe.
It might have been fairer to establish that Hatch also is one of the strongest congressional supporters to moving doctors out of fee-for-service into more sensible methods for getting them paid. Hatch also is egging on fellow Republicans to come up with an alternative to the ACA in the event that the U.S. Supreme Court kicks the pins out from beneath it later this year with its decision on permissibility of subsidies on federal exchanges.
3
In other words, Hatch has no concrete plan for healthcare but hopes some Republican can come up with one.
3
Maybe Orrin Hatch thinks children can replace health care with herbal supplements for a year?
3
We know for a fact that people who don't have health insurance die at higher rates than the uninsured, because they delay going to the doctor until it is too late. Taking away health insurance from 1 million children will result in some of them dying or suffering needlessly. These members of Congress, who claimed, falsely, that the Affordable Care Act, contained death panels for old people, are perfectly content to sit on a death panel for young children, whose only sin is that they were born poor. They apply the budget cutting knife to the welfare of poor children just like a psychopath does to his victims, without any remorse or doubt.
They can't stand it that a dime of their money would go to help a child whose parents are poor, because they view the parents as morally inferior and lazy. They gladly punish the child for the sins of his or her parents. And after they slash aid to the poor, they will gives tax cuts and sweetheart deals to billionaires. many of whom have become billionaires by keeping their employees in poverty, as Walmart does.
They truly have no moral compass because the needle on the compass always points to themselves.
They can't stand it that a dime of their money would go to help a child whose parents are poor, because they view the parents as morally inferior and lazy. They gladly punish the child for the sins of his or her parents. And after they slash aid to the poor, they will gives tax cuts and sweetheart deals to billionaires. many of whom have become billionaires by keeping their employees in poverty, as Walmart does.
They truly have no moral compass because the needle on the compass always points to themselves.
11
No more CHIP, OBAMA Care, ACA, Medicare Advantage, Medicare, Medicaid private and government subsidies for insurance companies. Instead, like our water and electric utilities, we must have a single payer national health insurance based on regional or nationwide private carriers modeled on our utility system as the only way to go. We simply limit the private regional insurance carrier whether it is Blue Shield Blue Cross or Cigna, or United Health Care to 7% profitability (like our electric and water and sewer utilities) instead of allowing these insurance companies to withdraw and redistribute 30% of the money our nation invests in health care from patients and their doctors for their bondholders, shareholders and executives.
This regional o national plan would allow for normal risk spread (well insure sick) and pour more money into patient care diverting the redistribution of health care dollars from insurance companies.
It would be modeled on the Canadian system, with private payers instead of a national payer. In Canada, a waiter in a restaurant can get pneumonia, get treated, recover and return to work, no worse off.
If a waiter in NYC, LA or Kansas gets pneumonia, they either get sicker, die or go bankrupt paying for treatment.
This regional o national plan would allow for normal risk spread (well insure sick) and pour more money into patient care diverting the redistribution of health care dollars from insurance companies.
It would be modeled on the Canadian system, with private payers instead of a national payer. In Canada, a waiter in a restaurant can get pneumonia, get treated, recover and return to work, no worse off.
If a waiter in NYC, LA or Kansas gets pneumonia, they either get sicker, die or go bankrupt paying for treatment.
10
The America income tax code provides deductions, credits, subsidies and lower income tax rates but only for certain industries, sources of income, business entity structures, transactions, contracts and securities that send our jobs and their money overseas along with regular annual deficits and growing debt.
Unless you are an adult corrupt crony capitalist corporate plutocrat oligarch you are not created equal with certain unalienable rights. Kids can't vote. Kids have no effective lobbyists.
America misleads the civilized 1st world in not providing health care insurance to all of it's citizens. In the future, as America's white majority has fewer kids they will suffer less. But that is not today. While the proportion of Black and Brown Americans in poverty is higher there are 5x as many whites. And the whites with the most children come from the bottom of the socioeconomic educational heap.
Unless you are an adult corrupt crony capitalist corporate plutocrat oligarch you are not created equal with certain unalienable rights. Kids can't vote. Kids have no effective lobbyists.
America misleads the civilized 1st world in not providing health care insurance to all of it's citizens. In the future, as America's white majority has fewer kids they will suffer less. But that is not today. While the proportion of Black and Brown Americans in poverty is higher there are 5x as many whites. And the whites with the most children come from the bottom of the socioeconomic educational heap.
4
Several comments question whether children really "need" health insurance, because "most children don't get that sick." First of all, most children don't have cancer or deadly diseases, but when they do, those 6 figure (or more) medical bills are beyond what anyone can pay. But then there's routine medical care. Your toddler wakes up with a high fever and a cough, or hives, or a rash - just the trip to the pediatrician is at least $100. Add a strep test, and antibiotics, and usually a follow up trip to the doctor, you're talking a few hundred dollars. My kids were generally healthy, but we had trips to the ER for stitches from a playground fall. Many kids, especially those born premature (and there are more of them, with improved pretnatal and neonatal care) have developmental delays, autism, or other conditions that require speech or physical therapy at some point in their childhood - therapies that can cost $200 a session. Asthma and allergies are chronic conditions that require routine doctor visits and sometimes quite expensive medication, and occasional emergency visits. People seem to think that medical care is either preventative or catastrophic, but in reality, most people, especially children, need to see the doctor for multiple non-life threatening conditions throughout their lives. And with a doctor visit, tests, and medications costing hundreds (or thousands) of dollars, insurance is necessary.
10
What's the story behind this proposal? What problems exist according to the Hatch, Upton, & Pitts? Do the states agree? How has the CHIP program performed, and what are the actual problems on the ground? How expensive is the CHIP program in context?
My point is that this sounds like a big news story where background information is essential to form an opinion. Why is there not a news story to go with it?
My point is that this sounds like a big news story where background information is essential to form an opinion. Why is there not a news story to go with it?
6
To claim this, is to admit that Obamacare is NOT working to cover these children (let alone their parents) and that it is an abject failure. It was the very objective of Obamacare that such people in poverty be given health insurance!
It's worth some perspective here however. Unlike seniors on Medicare, CHILDREN are the healthiest people on earth. They have very low mortality rates and little serious illness. Most children require little besides a few vaccines. The number of children who are seriously ill is statistically very tiny.
We should be far more worried about uninsured middled aged ADULTS, because their risks are far higher and their COSTS are far higher. (It would be extremely cheap to insure kids, as again, they rarely get seriously ill.) Many middled Americans are caught in a "gap" between regular insurance or even Obamacare, and eventually Medicare -- ages roughly 55-65 -- when employment is next to impossible, and health INSURANCE is staggeringly expensive.
It's worth some perspective here however. Unlike seniors on Medicare, CHILDREN are the healthiest people on earth. They have very low mortality rates and little serious illness. Most children require little besides a few vaccines. The number of children who are seriously ill is statistically very tiny.
We should be far more worried about uninsured middled aged ADULTS, because their risks are far higher and their COSTS are far higher. (It would be extremely cheap to insure kids, as again, they rarely get seriously ill.) Many middled Americans are caught in a "gap" between regular insurance or even Obamacare, and eventually Medicare -- ages roughly 55-65 -- when employment is next to impossible, and health INSURANCE is staggeringly expensive.
3
Republicans can't muster the votes to repeal Obamacare, so now they target landmark legislation that protects the health of children?
I can almost hear the deep, undying voice of Senator Kennedy -- author, sponsor, and constant advocate of CHIP -- echoing "shame... shame!" as he rolls in his grave.
To all who care for the rights and well-being of children: stand up and speak!
I can almost hear the deep, undying voice of Senator Kennedy -- author, sponsor, and constant advocate of CHIP -- echoing "shame... shame!" as he rolls in his grave.
To all who care for the rights and well-being of children: stand up and speak!
11
They have the votes to repeal it, they don't have the votes to get over a democrat filibuster in the Senate, and Obama would not sign the bill, and they did not win enough of a majority to have a partisan veto over ride.
When the rich need tax cuts, who do they take from? Children of the poor.
62
The Dems could agree, as long as the same mean-testing is extended to farm-welfare entitlements.
The GOP would never agree.
The GOP would never agree.
31
Can someone please explain why this program even needs to continue at all now that we have Obamacare which requires every adult to have insurance AND requires that insurance policy to cover kids up to 26 years of age?
9
Small businesses are exempt from Obamacare's employer mandate, individuals who make below a certain amount of money are not required to purchase coverage under Obamacare, and many Republican governors have refused to expand Medicaid in their states.
This means that thousands of the neediest among us - whom the CHIP program specifically benefits - are still lacking health insurance.
This means that thousands of the neediest among us - whom the CHIP program specifically benefits - are still lacking health insurance.
1
The question comes off as either incredibly naive or completely uninformed about the realities of Obamacare and its corollaries in Medicaid and CHIP. In spite of all the rosy journalism about how it is all working just grand, using my family as an example, I can assure you it isn't. We are one of the millions of families that are stuck in the middle of not being able to qualify for one thing and not being able to afford another. I would pay 50% more under Obamacare than I paid Pre-Obamacare for me and my wife. Children need to be covered period by our society. Wealthy or not they should not be subjected to this kind of idealogical manipulation. You can also be assured that just about anything Mr. Hatch proposes is bad for the average American.
Because some children are not covered by the ACA-medicaid for well visits. Can someone explain to me why Corporate welfare amounts to $100 Billion a year that we are looking to reduce assistance to children? Would anyone explain why Republicans are so eager to protect embryos and hate children?
3
Who are these people? The Editorial Board says "Senior Republicans in Congress". Now I know what the silent scream really means, and it's getting louder and stronger, perhaps too hard to bear. How dare these representatives of the people do these things so without consequence to themselves, only to the innocent, least able to fight back, the voiceless, the silent screams ring out....
52
Yes, please name them.
1
These people are beneath contempt. They hate America and all Americans who have suffered from changes in the economy caused by globalization. They hate folks who have had the sort of transient brushes with the law that many young people have, which would have pretty much gone away with the passage of time and the maturity of the individual that comes with age. Now these folks are 'felons' and as such, will never be able to pay their debt to society and will, therefore, never be able to get any sort decent job. And now we see that children are just so many 'moochers' and 'takers'. And then you wonder why some poor pregnant women choose to have abortions?
No child should ever go hungry, nor should any child go without health care in this, the world's richest country. These people like to call themselves christians, but they are doing satan's work. It's when I read stories like this that I find myself thinking that the Second Amendment is not such a bad thing. Soon, the day of reckoning will be at hand....
No child should ever go hungry, nor should any child go without health care in this, the world's richest country. These people like to call themselves christians, but they are doing satan's work. It's when I read stories like this that I find myself thinking that the Second Amendment is not such a bad thing. Soon, the day of reckoning will be at hand....
36
What is it about the Republican agenda that keeps it attacking those who are the most vulnerable in this country, our children. At the same time, Republicans claim that they "love America more than Obama does because he doesn't love you or me" and by implication that applies to those who support him.
How can they love America more and yet do all that they can to destroy the social services and health care networks that bolster up those who need them, and at the same time DEMAND that taxes be cut for the extremely wealthy, for corporations that take their jobs into other countries, for people whose wealth is in hiding in off-shore accounts so that they can avoid paying IRS taxes?
I've lived through presidents and congresses since FDR's first term. I voted for the first time for Dwight Eisenhower. I've seen good, bad, indifferent, cooperative, viciously uncooperative all down the line.
But I don't think I've ever seen a more hate-filled, angry, uncooperative and determined Republican congress than we have had since Obama became president. And there has to be a reason that they are so determined to destroy bit by bit this country that they claim they love more than anyone else does.
If this is how they love America, then they are right and I, for one, have never loved America.
How can they love America more and yet do all that they can to destroy the social services and health care networks that bolster up those who need them, and at the same time DEMAND that taxes be cut for the extremely wealthy, for corporations that take their jobs into other countries, for people whose wealth is in hiding in off-shore accounts so that they can avoid paying IRS taxes?
I've lived through presidents and congresses since FDR's first term. I voted for the first time for Dwight Eisenhower. I've seen good, bad, indifferent, cooperative, viciously uncooperative all down the line.
But I don't think I've ever seen a more hate-filled, angry, uncooperative and determined Republican congress than we have had since Obama became president. And there has to be a reason that they are so determined to destroy bit by bit this country that they claim they love more than anyone else does.
If this is how they love America, then they are right and I, for one, have never loved America.
107
Republican family values:
More uninsured children, more planet destroying carbon pollution, perpetual war in the Middle East.
The real Mourning in America.
More uninsured children, more planet destroying carbon pollution, perpetual war in the Middle East.
The real Mourning in America.
76
Not only that Obama doesn't care about the veterans those who shed their blood for the country now he threatens the future generation of the country. It's interesting who will be next to destruction.
1
How do you translate " senior republicans" into " Obama"?
2
It's the opposition doing this, not Obama.
2
What is so galling is that members of the GOP proudly proclaim their "Christian family values" yet have so few of them. Looking at their proposals, it seems they were absent all the days that the gospel was preached and present only for Leviticus.
77
I see this article as more propaganda in the media claiming it's possible to sell things for a living, that being the article's basic premise, i.e. "Given that it is generally possible to make a profit, there are doctor bills . . . but they are too high to pay without insurance, and so on." What I know to be true is that I am nothing like the characters in success stories, and I can not become like them. Have a heart.
Raising costs for poor and vulnerable to afford tax cuts for those with lots of income to tax. This is how the lucky promote increase inequality.
20
Not only do conservatives send our bravest men and women into battle for false reasons (see Iraq), they vote repeatedly to defund veterans care, and now they want to take health care away from young children, who through no fault of their own, don't have the wherewithal to pay for their insurance.
America needs to take some serious stock in what kind of nation it aspires to be. Do we want to be the land of opportunity, a place where men and women have the chance to succeed. Or do we subscribe to the Fox News view and desire that we continue to be the land of a privileged few, where the rich fleece their poorer neighbors?
America needs to take some serious stock in what kind of nation it aspires to be. Do we want to be the land of opportunity, a place where men and women have the chance to succeed. Or do we subscribe to the Fox News view and desire that we continue to be the land of a privileged few, where the rich fleece their poorer neighbors?
30
Let it to the states? Forget it, Wisconsin. Walker has tried to do away with programs that would assist many recipients connected to health care, many programs across the entire age spectrum - the Senior Care program, not accepting Medicaid funding, the list goes on.
Yet he's trying to force us taxpayers to pay for drug testing for all adults without children - and then their treatment - and then their job training. This would be over 175,000 people. You really think there'd be money for kids???? Everything is all mixed up.
He would not stop at provisions for children, CHIP, either. These folks would be out of luck - period - kids or not. Feds who so "generously" give the states authority is just a smoke screen for elimination by states, especially when the state is driven by the heartless likes of those like Scott Walker.
Yet he's trying to force us taxpayers to pay for drug testing for all adults without children - and then their treatment - and then their job training. This would be over 175,000 people. You really think there'd be money for kids???? Everything is all mixed up.
He would not stop at provisions for children, CHIP, either. These folks would be out of luck - period - kids or not. Feds who so "generously" give the states authority is just a smoke screen for elimination by states, especially when the state is driven by the heartless likes of those like Scott Walker.
26
Walker must have saved the required Theology and Philosophy classes at Marquette for his final year, which he never completed. As I recall, one of those required classes was in Ethics. He missed the entire point of a Jesuit education.
5
What in the world is Senator Hatch thinking here? What motivates him to undermine what little remains of his legacy? Somewhere Ted Kennedy can't believe that Mr. Hatch is involved with this effort to undermine CHIP. How can he call himself a "Citizen Senator" and expect us to take that seriously? Once again, it all seems to stem from a burning desire to weaken or gut the PPACA, by hook or by crook. Reducing federal financing of any government program to allow states to make "common-sense changes" is always a ruse for the real objective of severely weakening if not destroying the program. What an embarrassment for Senator Hatch to be involved with the men who would strangle to death what he did so much to create. Fortunately, the US Senate will never even allow this proposal a vote.
12
Can you say "political hack?"
1
This is the 21st Century version of states' rights. Teapublicans want to dismantle the federal government's protections for its most marginalized and vulnerable citizens and toss them to the ravening wolves of the states. What the Teapublicans want is a political landscape reminiscent of the film "Deliverance": a place of utter anxiety and peril where protection is nowhere on the horizon and fear lurks under every bush or behind every tree or around every turn in the road. Isn't America wonderful?
16
Let me get this straight: Republicans so love children that from conception to birth, the proto-child is sacred, abortion for whatever reason is opposed, miscarriages may be criminalized, and birth compulsory.
Yet as soon as the blessed event occurs, the babies enter a toxic Republican world, likely to live in poverty (one quarter of them at least) sometimes to the extent of homelessness, with food insecurity, lack of medical care, poor underfunded education, minimum wage jobs with no benefits or a life in and out of prison till they die a miserable death by disease or gunshot.
Were we invaded about four decades back by a malign alien horde bent on destroying America and the entire planet's ecosystem?
Yet as soon as the blessed event occurs, the babies enter a toxic Republican world, likely to live in poverty (one quarter of them at least) sometimes to the extent of homelessness, with food insecurity, lack of medical care, poor underfunded education, minimum wage jobs with no benefits or a life in and out of prison till they die a miserable death by disease or gunshot.
Were we invaded about four decades back by a malign alien horde bent on destroying America and the entire planet's ecosystem?
91
Monty Python-esq isn't it? Every sperm is sacred.
1
yes and his name was Ronald Reagan.
Cutting insurance to children is a move in the wrong direction. However, it is not the greatest injustice in insuring the needy. All children in families below the poverty line are covered under Medicaid. The children covered by CHIP are those in families earning too much to qualify for Medicaid, basically the working poor. For no good reason, those without dependents, no matter how poor, do not get Medicaid coverage. Somebody has made the policy decision that insuring the children of working poor families is more important than insuring single adults in abject poverty. I guess that's because kids are cuter than homeless people.
14
This is exactly how I feel and why I, a lifelong democratic voter, have no problem with CHIP cuts. It's time we stopped classifying households as "deserving" or "not deserving" of equal assistance based on reproductive choices.
Parents chose to produce kids and shouldnt be shielded from the economic burden of that choice when child free adults with cancer or other dire problems are excluded from aid.
Parents chose to produce kids and shouldnt be shielded from the economic burden of that choice when child free adults with cancer or other dire problems are excluded from aid.
2
May be because children, especially young children, like the elderly often need more healthcare, than young and middle age adults.
There are 11 million non-disabled and 8.8 million disabled adults under 65 on Medicaid, and 4.6 million seniors -- far more than the number of children covered by CHIP.
http://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid-chip-program-information/by-population/...
http://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid-chip-program-information/by-population/...
Cruelty, hatred of poor children? It's hard to identify the motives of Republicans. They ally themselves with the "right to life" movement, with anti-sex education and anti-birth control factions, why would they seek to deprive children of health coverage? Perhaps it has to do with Republican science denial? Maybe it is because Republicans don't recognize biology? Could they just want to exploit people who "believe" that fetuses have "souls" and are legal persons with rights?
How can one support the rights of fetuses and deny medical care to babies and children?
50% of fertilized human eggs, 50% of human embryos die, do not implant, never become fetuses. Why is this important? It is natural, but flies in the face of claims about personhood, rights, and "souls" which are so important to the Republicans and their anti-sex education, anti-science, and anti-women's rights constituents. Since half of these souls, these persons die on a regular basis should we change our laws and policies to address the meaning? Do these embryos have inheritance rights? Should faiths that insist that an embryo or fetus has a soul baptize all late menstrual flows? Should diligent efforts be made to prevent unwanted pregnancy? It's hard to fathom what Republican believers want beside money and cruelty.
This recent effort to curtail the CHIP benefit is evidence to the pro-science, pro choice readers that Republicans are not "pro-life" but pro-embryo, pro-fetus and anti child.
How can one support the rights of fetuses and deny medical care to babies and children?
50% of fertilized human eggs, 50% of human embryos die, do not implant, never become fetuses. Why is this important? It is natural, but flies in the face of claims about personhood, rights, and "souls" which are so important to the Republicans and their anti-sex education, anti-science, and anti-women's rights constituents. Since half of these souls, these persons die on a regular basis should we change our laws and policies to address the meaning? Do these embryos have inheritance rights? Should faiths that insist that an embryo or fetus has a soul baptize all late menstrual flows? Should diligent efforts be made to prevent unwanted pregnancy? It's hard to fathom what Republican believers want beside money and cruelty.
This recent effort to curtail the CHIP benefit is evidence to the pro-science, pro choice readers that Republicans are not "pro-life" but pro-embryo, pro-fetus and anti child.
23
This is so going to backfire on the Republicans because their big supporters like the Walmart's and the McDonalds and the other fast food restaurants all promote their workers to sign their children up into CHIP rather in their family plan of their company insurance.
In Georgia for example, my daughter who is twenty has worked for one of the coffee chains that offers insurance for employees who work over 30 hrs ( however those managers are sure careful to only give over 30 hrs ave per month to those under 25, who have declined it and are on Mom and Dads policy.) the High deductible plan for an individual can be obtained for about $80/ mo. But a low deductible plan $750-1250 with co pays would be about $160 month. This is for a $8.30-9.30 HR. Employee maying $12,000 tops year. Now add the Family plan and the costs are about triple. No person in that income could make the deductible on the cheap plan about $5-7K before copays to make it worth it. Then for the higher plan they would end up paying 1/2 their income to cover a child or two. But if they sign up for CHIP they only pay a $5 premium to a maximum $35 premium if they make 300%. They also get much better coverage then the rest of us with private plans. especially with dental. chip provides free dental includes crowns and fillings. Where I had to pay $2,000 for 6 fillings and one crown for my five year old. My neighbor wore to much Jewlery and was charged $5k. All by Julia Roberts childhood dentist. While he did CHIP .
In Georgia for example, my daughter who is twenty has worked for one of the coffee chains that offers insurance for employees who work over 30 hrs ( however those managers are sure careful to only give over 30 hrs ave per month to those under 25, who have declined it and are on Mom and Dads policy.) the High deductible plan for an individual can be obtained for about $80/ mo. But a low deductible plan $750-1250 with co pays would be about $160 month. This is for a $8.30-9.30 HR. Employee maying $12,000 tops year. Now add the Family plan and the costs are about triple. No person in that income could make the deductible on the cheap plan about $5-7K before copays to make it worth it. Then for the higher plan they would end up paying 1/2 their income to cover a child or two. But if they sign up for CHIP they only pay a $5 premium to a maximum $35 premium if they make 300%. They also get much better coverage then the rest of us with private plans. especially with dental. chip provides free dental includes crowns and fillings. Where I had to pay $2,000 for 6 fillings and one crown for my five year old. My neighbor wore to much Jewlery and was charged $5k. All by Julia Roberts childhood dentist. While he did CHIP .
4
Having paid very high insurance premiums as a self-employed person (income well south of 50k) for many years (with a high deductible to boot and NO dental or vision coverage), my question to the coffee shop worker is, "How much is your cell phone plan?" "How much is your enhanced cable service?" Sometimes, it's all a matter of priorities.
However, there are many, many legitimate needy families who could use a hand with keeping their children healthy. At least THEY make sure their children have their immunizations! (See MS stats vs. CA's.) And, In general five-year-olds don't need expensive crowns and fillings if they have proper regular dental care and practice good oral hygiene at home. Providing routine dental care to these children is just good practice and saves a lot of money in the long run.
However, there are many, many legitimate needy families who could use a hand with keeping their children healthy. At least THEY make sure their children have their immunizations! (See MS stats vs. CA's.) And, In general five-year-olds don't need expensive crowns and fillings if they have proper regular dental care and practice good oral hygiene at home. Providing routine dental care to these children is just good practice and saves a lot of money in the long run.
The list of Republican abominations is endless. Under the guise of protecting women they insist that abortions harm women physically and forever destroy them psychologically. Under the canard that Social Security creates dependency upon a government handout not upon taxes that are collected, they oppose expansion of the tax upon higher wage earners. The same reactionary propaganda is applied to unemployment compensation, food stamps, medicare and medicaid. The CHIP program is just another example of a political party that ignores reality in order to satisfy their fervently backward voter base or perhaps we should say "base" voters. There is not one social program that Republicans support. If Republicans ruled there would be no taxes and no social infrastructure either. Education would be starved. Public pension programs for state and federal workers would be dissolved. Survivor Insurance under social security would be ended. Republicans would also offer expansion of prisons and further extend the sentences of most non-violent offenders. The Republican offer to save money and throw away lives. As far as Republicans are concerned the cure for everything is self-sufficency, no assistance, and we must remember that the poor have created their own problems by being shiftless people who refuse to seek work. Republicans claim that they can govern but if they end every program that assists citizens, exactly what will they have left to actually govern?
20
This is all about getting attention for a handful of politicians. Under the ACA, everyone is supposed to be covered. Most children do not incur major medical bills. Most kids don't get cancer or heart disease, and with vaccines, they don't get the childhood illnesses we used to get.
Here's a thought. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Reverse CHIP, reverse ACA, reverse Medicaid. Just have national health care as they do in most countries and allow optional additional insurance. Problem solved.
Here's a thought. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Reverse CHIP, reverse ACA, reverse Medicaid. Just have national health care as they do in most countries and allow optional additional insurance. Problem solved.
61
This CHIP program, I'm old enough to remember, is important to the GOP whenever power shifts from one party to the other in the Congress. I remember the last time Democrats saved or expanded CHIP from GOP meddling. It's one of the examples Republicans use to keep their base convinced that money is being taken away from hardworking people and given to the children of the lazy and shiftless. It's important to the GOP to have a few of these as cover for all the work they do on behalf of the rich and the big corporations.
69
At this point in time. The people in my county that own homes pay an additional tax every year for the insurance of children. We now have Obama care which pays for the insurance of children. No one discontinued the property tax when the new highest tax ever was passed without our vote. How often do we pay for the insurance of children?
3
And that is why I will never vote GOP again. There's a difference in enabling "lazy and shiftless" adults and in leaving their children to suffer.
7
@Stuart has certainly provided some of the rationale for why the Congressional ghouls - @John H's useful term for these Republicans - are doing this. They would sacrifice their mother on the altar of political divisiveness if they thought it would help them with their base - and their corporate handlers.
But there has to be something else going on here.
Possibly part of the overall master plan to bring down Obamacare with a thousand cuts?
And beyond that, Obamacare is, of course, chump change for the Republicans.
Notice how the existence and success of Obamacare has momentarily deflected these antisocial conttract tribalists from their real targets, Medicare, Medicaid, and the big cahuna, Social Security.
For them Obamacare is another brick in the wall which they don't need no education to know they have to tear down to achieve their God-fearing Utopia of securely gated - and armed to the teeth - communities for the few, and un-safteynetted State of Nature existence for the many.
I smell an ALEC in this, and it would be useful if the NYT were to follow this editorial up with an investigative article. The Republicans don't draft legislation. ALEC and K-Street draft their legislation for them.
Orrin Hatch, in particular, does little else than police his musical royalties.
Yes, there is cynical politicking going on here. That's a given. But there is almost assuredly something much more sinister -- and sociopathic.
Let's find out what it is.
But there has to be something else going on here.
Possibly part of the overall master plan to bring down Obamacare with a thousand cuts?
And beyond that, Obamacare is, of course, chump change for the Republicans.
Notice how the existence and success of Obamacare has momentarily deflected these antisocial conttract tribalists from their real targets, Medicare, Medicaid, and the big cahuna, Social Security.
For them Obamacare is another brick in the wall which they don't need no education to know they have to tear down to achieve their God-fearing Utopia of securely gated - and armed to the teeth - communities for the few, and un-safteynetted State of Nature existence for the many.
I smell an ALEC in this, and it would be useful if the NYT were to follow this editorial up with an investigative article. The Republicans don't draft legislation. ALEC and K-Street draft their legislation for them.
Orrin Hatch, in particular, does little else than police his musical royalties.
Yes, there is cynical politicking going on here. That's a given. But there is almost assuredly something much more sinister -- and sociopathic.
Let's find out what it is.
1
"Their proposal, labeled a “discussion draft” for legislation yet to be written, could deprive more than a million children of insurance or force their families to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for their coverage. It also would shift costs to states, which would be left holding the bag to pay for the children’s insurance or for the care of the children as uninsured patients."
The ghouls behind this are also collecting salaries well above six figures, and have gold-plated health insurance for the rest of their miserable lives. Exactly what is it going to take for the country to say "Enough!"?
The ghouls behind this are also collecting salaries well above six figures, and have gold-plated health insurance for the rest of their miserable lives. Exactly what is it going to take for the country to say "Enough!"?
129
Elections: 2016.
It csn hspprn: 2016 elections.
Nothing Republicans are proposing these days can be labeled as "common sense".
119
Most things Republicans propose could be labeled CRUEL.
1
Ignorance, but mostly evil!
73
Trust the GOP to step up to the plate and get right to work stripping protections from our most vulnerable citizens first. Children are their natural first target since they cannot vote. The poor and disabled will soon follow. Then, the GOP will get cagey and try to sell changes to Social Security and Medicare as "reforms" that will "save" the system, all the while crossing their avaricious fingers behind their backs as they are pocketing the proceeds of "privatizing". (Look how well it works in the health insurance industry!)
The U.S. can afford to care for its children, disabled, poor, and elderly. We need only to stop listening to GOP drivel and lies, and remind ourselves that the GOP blatantly serves self- and corporate- interests, NOT "we the people".
The U.S. can afford to care for its children, disabled, poor, and elderly. We need only to stop listening to GOP drivel and lies, and remind ourselves that the GOP blatantly serves self- and corporate- interests, NOT "we the people".
42
Orrin, can you really be that cruel?
22
Yeah, make the children sicker and have their parents pay and the Rich can have the country to themselves, except they can't live forever and who is going wait on them or shine their yacht, or make their food if all of the children are gone and no one to grow up.
18
Conservatives want children to be born whatever the mother health or financial situation. One might think that they will do anything they can to help those children. Nope. As soon as they are born, GOP politicians think they are not worth helping.
Do Conservatives have mirrors in their bathrooms? If yes what do they see each Morning when they stand in front on a mirror?
Do Conservatives have mirrors in their bathrooms? If yes what do they see each Morning when they stand in front on a mirror?
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@Title Holder When conservatives look into a mirror they see nothing.
1
When St Ronnie was governor of California we would say about him: he's pro-life from conception to birth.
3
Sick children are automatically eligible for Medicaid. Health insurance for children is not expensive. Wasn't Obamacare supposed to provide subsidized coverage for everyone up to 400% of the poverty level? Maybe next time, Democrats should read the bill before they vote for it.
Obamacare has to be the worst designed legislation in the history of the country.
Obamacare has to be the worst designed legislation in the history of the country.
5
Typical partisan ideological rot. The Affordable Care Act was, indeed, supposed to provide subsidies to most people whose incomes are between 100% and 400% of the poverty line. It did that by expanding Medicaid and funding that expansion. However, the so-called "conservatives" on the Supreme Court, in an act of judicial activism never seen in the history of our republic, literally re-wrote the statute, stating that Congress has no right to change a program (Medicaid) it created) and granting the "right" of the states to refuse to expand Medicaid. The result is that in many Repubican-controlled states (mostly, but not exclusively, in the South), Medicaid has not been expanded. That is where CHIP is supposed to kick in.
If the Supreme Court had not meddled in re-writing legislation, this would not be the issue that it is.
If the Supreme Court had not meddled in re-writing legislation, this would not be the issue that it is.
10
Wrong. It isn't any worse than SS or Medicare were when they were rolled out. It needs work by a bipartisan Congress to make it better.
When pigs fly with this GOP
When pigs fly with this GOP
1
What did you expect of legislation that was designed to please republicans?
2
I'n sorry but who has ever said taht conservatives care about children? Their so called pro life idiocy is all a bout taking away the rights of poor women, it was never about the fetus or children.
85
They do like embryos....just not children.
2
Even if Republican led states would financially be financially hurt this bill to pass, ideology drives decisions, not pragmatism.
What is it now? .... 56 times against Obamacare.
What is it now? .... 56 times against Obamacare.
16
My cousin would have died without CHIP. Literally died. There was no way we could have afforded the needed brain surgery that was cutting edge. She would have eventually bled out in her brain, likely before she was 20.
Instead she's going to university with scholarships. Her parents are back on their feet and now have insurance.
The safety net is amazing at times and it's super frustrating when people try and gut it.
Instead she's going to university with scholarships. Her parents are back on their feet and now have insurance.
The safety net is amazing at times and it's super frustrating when people try and gut it.
173
If she was a child free adult with that same condition she would have been ineligible for assistance and even more likely to die. Do you think that is fair?
1
CHIP should not be a free standing program. Its coverage and benefits should be folded into O care and Medicaid. I realize that some states have not expanded Medicaid but they could be fixed via a CHIP provision. The coverage for children will be 100% subsidized. Why have two Federal bureaucracies, just have one, O care.
8
"The Republican proposal is billed as a way to let states make ' common sense changes' to their Medicaid and CHIP programs". Would these be the same states that refuse to take federal money to expand Medicaid coverage to their poorest constituents because of some misguided attempt to sabotage the Presidents attempt to provide affordable healthcare to all Americans? Because these red states lack both common sense and common decency.
52
The question really should be; why are the children so sick that they need the CHIP?
This is a recent trend. I am 60 years old; back in the day very few children needed “health insurance.” Because they never got sick.
They did get the Measles and the Mumps and the Chicken Pox and then they got over it; with a life-time immunity.
But that is not what this article is about; it is all about $$$$. For all of the “sick” children.
Why are all of these children sick? They have had all of their vaccines, so they are not getting Measles, Mumps or Chickenpox.
So, again, why are these children sick? What are their illnesses?
And why do we need all of this govt. $$$$ to treat them?
This is a recent trend. I am 60 years old; back in the day very few children needed “health insurance.” Because they never got sick.
They did get the Measles and the Mumps and the Chicken Pox and then they got over it; with a life-time immunity.
But that is not what this article is about; it is all about $$$$. For all of the “sick” children.
Why are all of these children sick? They have had all of their vaccines, so they are not getting Measles, Mumps or Chickenpox.
So, again, why are these children sick? What are their illnesses?
And why do we need all of this govt. $$$$ to treat them?
1
My nephew is severely disabled with cerebral palsy. Right now, he is in the PICU, struggling for his life.
How fortunate for you, that in your 60 years on this planet, you have never met a child who, through no fault of his own, is severely ill with a condition that could not be prevented by a vaccine.
How fortunate for you, that in your 60 years on this planet, you have never met a child who, through no fault of his own, is severely ill with a condition that could not be prevented by a vaccine.
21
Most children do indeed avoid major illness, but when they do get cancer, or other major health issue, they still need help, And avoiding measles and other viral illnesses through vaccination still requires medical care. Come to think of it, my house has never burnt down. Perhaps fire fighters are superfluous.
16
Maybe if you repeat the mantra, "children do not get sick" often enough, Frank, that will make it true, at least in the fantasy world where you apparently live. In the real world, however, children are vulnerable to a wide range of ailments, some of which can kill them, including the three you mentioned. My son died at age eleven from a severe food allergy, despite the fact we had good insurance. Without that insurance, he probably would have died before his third birthday.
You said this issue is all about money. For you, that appears to be true. For most people, other values are involved.
You said this issue is all about money. For you, that appears to be true. For most people, other values are involved.
16
"Who are we hatin' today daddy?"...
Sick, poor children.
Sick, poor children.
76
If this goes through, it will add another group to the list of people and groups that I made last year that the Republicans don't like or won't support --already a fairly long list including, Single moms, Disabled and Vulnerable adults, Prisoners, Poor folks in general, Frail elderly, Families on food stamps. You get the idea!!
And if it comes to the floor of Congress and the Democrats oppose it, they will be accused of being obstructionists - sort of like the Republicans were before the election.
And if it comes to the floor of Congress and the Democrats oppose it, they will be accused of being obstructionists - sort of like the Republicans were before the election.
22
RE: Their proposal, labeled a “discussion draft” for legislation yet to be written, could deprive more than a million children of insurance or force their families to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for their coverage.
OH THE HORROR! People will have to pay for their own kids instead of mooching off the taxpayers.
OH THE HORROR! People will have to pay for their own kids instead of mooching off the taxpayers.
6
Note that the affected children are in families that do not have the means to pay; that's why they're eligible to begin with. The alternative to all taxpayers paying to cover them is some taxpayers paying for them--the "some" being limited to those with medical bills of their own to pay. If republicans thought at all they might understand that their attempts to deny insurance coverage for poor children, if successful, will cost them more out of pocket even if it does serve to reduce taxes.
6
You may have missed the Republican clamour about the high unemployment rate and the need for jobs. But it seems that the noise was only politicians breaking wind. Now with growing employment and the loss of that issue, Hatch (of open the patent meds flood gates fame), now wants to pick the pockets of the underpaid. The Republicans continue to amaze as their long view shortens to days. Heard any news about infrastructure investments? Sort of like helping provide healthy generations of children. Against abortion, against health care and against livable wages. When will the profit potential of child labor law repeal tempt the GOP?
4
Yeah, and all that free educashun too!
3
Am I surprised by this? Not one bit. Am I disgusted? Absolutely.
21
can anyone count the ways that our republic would be better off if hatch had never held office? leave it to him to bring illness to more children and more illness-related bankruptcy to the parents of sick kids. these republican octogenarian committee chairs are in a position to do great damage to the average citizens of this country, and we can count on them in their banal malevolence to do it.
34
Unbelievable. Are Americans proud they lead all wealthy democracies in child poverty, sickness and incarceration.
60
Republican family values.
149
Republicans are more concerned about embryos than live children!
3
Funny Republicans always find a reason to make the lives of those less fortunate worse in their effort to make the world a better place. Odd that they never consider making the lives of the well off and privileged a little less posh in such efforts. No it is less school lunches, less health care, less regulation of air pollution, less money for the disabled and on and on. Now that we have discovered that wealth doesn't trickle down, we are discovering that pain doesn't trickle up.
232
It's the way the reactionary mind works — the conservative favors liberty for the higher orders and constraint for the lower orders. Or to put it another way. Conservatism ultimately believes that a higher functioning civilization has to have a class/group to be dominated/oppressed.
22
How odd. If wealth stops pain -- why did a famous actor with million-dollar homes kill himself last year?
Unwise decision-making by individuals (unwed births, drug and alcohol abuse, lack of discipline) strain medical care budgets, How fast this happens is at the core of this debate.
All the money in the world cannot fix unwise decision-making.
Unwise decision-making by individuals (unwed births, drug and alcohol abuse, lack of discipline) strain medical care budgets, How fast this happens is at the core of this debate.
All the money in the world cannot fix unwise decision-making.
4
As Joseph Welsh Asked Joe McCarthy I would ask the Republican Party " Have you no sense of decency, Sir?"
55
This is a nice follow up to the Republican's recent efforts to cut Social Security disability benefits for millions of disabled Americans.
Why do Republicans hate America? What bothers them so that citizens might have affordable healthcare and jobs that pay a living wage? That no one goes hungry? That children receive a good education? That the disabled and elderly can live lives free of poverty?
Why do Republicans hate America? What bothers them so that citizens might have affordable healthcare and jobs that pay a living wage? That no one goes hungry? That children receive a good education? That the disabled and elderly can live lives free of poverty?
79
Yes, children and disabled people are a burden to taxpayers....unless you are a Real American who actually believes that we have a moral obligation to help each other. Cruelty is so foreign to Americans that we just can't believe that an American Congressman would be cruel....until Dick Cheney became a champion for cruelty, torture, and war against a nation that did not attack us.
2
Ah yes, once again the "pro-life" party demonstrates its contempt for all human beings below a certain income level once they are actually alive. Maybe we should just rename everyone fetuses. Then Republicans would fight tooth and nail to protect their sanctity of life.
26
It has been suggested that every human in this country incorporate so that they can be treated as a person by the GOP.
2
The Republican dogma to which they pay obeisance, like the virtue of the market place, has no proven scientific validity. It has value when it propels an idea or a product and such it is beneficial. But, when it is left unchecked, it leads to monopolistic practices and exploitation. Moreover, like everything else in life, it does not affect positively everyone and leaves many by the wayside.
This idea of the market place as the solution to everything, leads conservatives to the conclusion that nothing needs to be done for the less fortunate. So, they take any effort that tries to alleviate the suffering of the people as a kind of transgression of their dogma. So, they go against any pro-active measure by declaring the non- appropriateness of government intervention.
Health insurance? No way. Let the market decide who can afford it. So, if you have a couple hundred million citizen living in dread of illness, it's nothing when compared to the pure adherence to the dogma of the market place.
I wonder continually how such an abstraction can overcome the natural response to help a fellow human being.
This idea of the market place as the solution to everything, leads conservatives to the conclusion that nothing needs to be done for the less fortunate. So, they take any effort that tries to alleviate the suffering of the people as a kind of transgression of their dogma. So, they go against any pro-active measure by declaring the non- appropriateness of government intervention.
Health insurance? No way. Let the market decide who can afford it. So, if you have a couple hundred million citizen living in dread of illness, it's nothing when compared to the pure adherence to the dogma of the market place.
I wonder continually how such an abstraction can overcome the natural response to help a fellow human being.
57
I think you mean that the marketplace has no logical or moral benefit to those harmed by it? It is also true that the marketplace, portrayed as a moral value is perverse, degenerate, and a threat to the social fabric.
1
In my lifetime I have seen many irresponsible politicians from both parties. But, I can not recall such a mean spirited group as we currently have.
This current GOP bunch makes Hoover supporters look absolutely like liberals.
They did not flinch spending a $Trillion to send Americans to die in Iraq, and to keep taxes low, which is their mantra, they put it on the credit card, called treasury bonds that China and Japan were happy to buy. Now the bill has come due, and they have found another victim, uninsured, underprivileged children.
This is the most shameful political party in history. The are the progeny of the Dixiecrats. All they are concerned with, is keeping their wealthy supporters happy, and children do not contribute or vote. As we watch them now, we n see just how despicable they are. But keep in mind whom their other supporters are, look at the demographics. it is a core of those who can not afford a chamber pot, but want taxes cut, who give large contributions to fundamentalist churches, end call themselves Christians, but think it is alright to deprive children of needed medical treatments. Thy have been spawned by St. Ronnie and think all their problems are the result of some big government, when their real problem is superstition and ignorance. of course they are too ignorant to understand they are ignorant.
This current GOP bunch makes Hoover supporters look absolutely like liberals.
They did not flinch spending a $Trillion to send Americans to die in Iraq, and to keep taxes low, which is their mantra, they put it on the credit card, called treasury bonds that China and Japan were happy to buy. Now the bill has come due, and they have found another victim, uninsured, underprivileged children.
This is the most shameful political party in history. The are the progeny of the Dixiecrats. All they are concerned with, is keeping their wealthy supporters happy, and children do not contribute or vote. As we watch them now, we n see just how despicable they are. But keep in mind whom their other supporters are, look at the demographics. it is a core of those who can not afford a chamber pot, but want taxes cut, who give large contributions to fundamentalist churches, end call themselves Christians, but think it is alright to deprive children of needed medical treatments. Thy have been spawned by St. Ronnie and think all their problems are the result of some big government, when their real problem is superstition and ignorance. of course they are too ignorant to understand they are ignorant.
232
I've been dismayed for 30 years at how Conservatives have allowed their highly respected mantle to be presumed by reactionaries. I think you have hit the nail on the finger: "Dixiecrats." I sometimes wonder if perhaps the Confederacy hasn't won the war after all.
20
Another mindless and off topic diatribe by a liberal partisan.
The moderators are doing a great job. Well, only if the goal is to create a place for angry liberal partisans to come and tell us how much they hate Republicans. Lord knows we don't have enough place for low mminded partisan hatefulness.
The moderators are doing a great job. Well, only if the goal is to create a place for angry liberal partisans to come and tell us how much they hate Republicans. Lord knows we don't have enough place for low mminded partisan hatefulness.
3
Excellent, and let's be honest most of the children affected by this are either black or brown I'm quite sure. There must be a racist element in this disregard for children's health.
6
Yet another vulnerable group for the Republicans to screw, sick children. Have they no shame, none at all?
204
This is what the left finds appalling rather than those that game the system at their neighbors expense?
Figures.