Posts Tagged ‘SCHIP’

Free Health Insurance Debate

Monday, November 12th, 2007

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S CHIP) that has been a topic of major debate in congress is having an effect on people in central Virginia. Some want to expand the insurance program to include more families but not all our local lawmakers agree. This national debate is being battled in our backyard.

Keith Groomes is a single dad raising two teenagers and working two jobs. Groomes stated, “It gives me peace of mind knowing that I don’t have another bill on top of my head that I have to somehow fit into my budget. I thought it was in my best interest to join it because unfortunately I’m not in the position to be able to pay the full amount.” (more…)

Proposal to drop adult SCHIP coverage sooner draws ire

Saturday, November 10th, 2007

WASHINGTON – The debate over expanding the children’s health insurance program has run into another battle: the coverage of adults.

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, currently covers about 6 million people, including nearly 700,000 adults.

Negotiators in Congress who are working out details about the expansion of the decade-old initiative are considering a timetable to phase adults out of the program. (more…)

Heritage Foundation: Health Care on the Brink

Friday, November 9th, 2007

The debate over government-run health care has roiled for decades. Today, we’re at the tipping point.

Incremental growth in public health programs has brought us to the brink. Today, almost half of America’s children — 45 percent — have their health care paid for by taxpayers. The children’s health bill (SCHIP) now before Congress would boost this to 55 percent. And that’s the tipping point.

Once most children are covered by taxpayers, the remaining children will shortly follow. Then their parents. Then those with no children at home. Eventually, the whole country would be under Washington-run health care, using tax dollars to pay the bills. (more…)