Zack Space Not Ready To Give Up On SCHIP

Today's attempt to override the SCHIP veto may have fallen 13 votes short but 18th district Rep. Zack Space isn't calling it quits just yet.

“The President and his Congressional allies have sunk to a new low. Providing health insurance to kids in working families seemed like a no-brainer, but apparently I was wrong.  I am sincerely worried about the health of those currently enrolled in the program and those who would have been enrolled had this bill passed.”

“I will not give up this fight.  Continuing coverage for the 145,000 children in Ohio and making sure everyone eligible has the funds to join the program will remain one of my top legislative priorities.”

A press release from Space's office yesterday included the following:

SCHIP Reality vs. Rhetoric

White House Rhetoric:

Under the bipartisan SCHIP legislation, families making $83,000 per year would be eligible to be enrolled in the SCHIP program. 

Reality:

The bipartisan SCHIP bill vetoed by the President does not raise the eligibility level for SCHIP.  In addition, no state currently offers SCHIP coverage to families making $83,000.  The state of New York applied to do so -- and was denied by the Bush Administration. Under the legislation the President vetoed, the Bush Administration would continue to have the ability to determine New York eligibility levels.

White House Rhetoric:

“Poor kids first”

Reality:

We agree. That’s why we cover them with Medicaid, that’s why we fixed the states’ constant shortfalls under this administration, and that’s why 90% of families covered by SCHIP are living under 200% of poverty.

White House Rhetoric:

The bipartisan SCHIP legislation covers illegal immigrants.

Reality:

The bipartisan SCHIP bill states clearly that “Nothing in this Act allows Federal payment for individuals who are not legal residents.”  In fact, the bipartisan SCHIP bill does not provide benefits for legal immigrant children.  

White House Rhetoric:

The SCHIP measure will lead to government-run socialized medicine by taking children out of private health care and put them in government run health care.

Reality:

77% of children in SCHIP receive their health care through private insurance companies. The American Medical Association, the Association of Health Insurance Plans, and PhRMA – hardly advocates of socialized medicine – all support the bill.

While today's release contained the following poll numbers:

STRONG MAJORITY OF AMERICANS FAVOR BIPARTISAN SCHIP BILL

CBS Poll: Four out of Five Americans Support SCHIP Bill.  According to polling this week from CBS News an overwhelming majority of Americans, 81%, favor the bipartisan plan to cover more uninsured children through the state children’s health insurance program.  [CBS News, 10/17/07]

NPR Poll: 70% Support SCHIP Bill.  According to a survey released this week by NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health 70% of Americans support adding $35 billion to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. [NPR, 10/17/07]

AMERICANS STRONGLY SUPPORT OVERRIDING BUSH’S VETO

NPR Poll: Nearly Two Thirds Favor SCHIP Veto Override: According to a survey this week by NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health 64% of Americans favor overriding the president's veto of the children’s health insurance bill and 67% disapproved of the President’s veto. [NPR, 10/17/07]

CNN Poll: Over 60% Favor SCHIP Veto Override. According to a CNN poll this week, 61% of Americans say Congress should override the President’s veto. [CNN, 10/17/07]

I definitely wouldn't call this fight over yet.