President Bush Plans to Veto Children’s Health

Whether you vaccinate or not, use herbal medicine, etc., there are times when your child will need to see a doctor or visit an emergency room. If you are self-employed, your options for health insurance are very slim, especially if you have a child with a congenital heart defect like my son. He has been rejected on numerous occasions for private, individual health insurance, and without a state supported program for families above the poverty line, he would not be insured.

President Bush has pledged to veto a substantial increase to funding State’s Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This program is used by states to fund health insurance for families who do not qualify, based upon income, for Medicaid (called Medi-Cal in California). Without reauthorization, the funding ends September 30. Currently, states receive $5 billion in matching funds from the federal government. My children have recently enrolled in California’s Healthy Families, which is primarily funded through SCHIP.

Why would our president want to veto something that is good for children’s health? He’s afraid this will start us down the slippery slope of a government-run health care system. He would rather millions of children not have health insurance than allow states to help your youngest citizens. There are many online petitions to support SCHIP in Congress, as we will need a strong majority to override a presidential veto. This reauthorization has bipartisan support, as children’s health should be a priority in this country. With Sicko on every one’s minds, I can’t imagine this would be a popular move by the president.

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