SCHIP Program Gutted by Bush

A few weeks ago I wrote about SCHIP, the program to provide healthcare to underprivileged children. Despite threats of a veto from the White House, funding for the program passed.

Instead of vetoing the bill, Bush is gutting the program by creating new administrative regulations that keep kids from being able to get into or afford the program.

For example, many kids will now have to wait a year without any healthcare before they become eligible for the program. Families that were targeted for enrollment by the bill won't be eligible unless the state has already enrolled 95% of all families below the poverty level (an impossible goal to achieve).

What is worse, states will now be required to charge premiums and co-payments that approximate private insurance. Which means that the program is now just as expensive as private insurance for families who can't afford to get private insurance.

None of these regulations are part of the legislation. It is all being mandated by agency regulations at the direction of the White House. Why? Because Bush doesn't want commercial health insurance companies to lose profit. (And since I work for a health insurance company, I tell you with certainty that the industry is not hurting for profit).

In other words, it's just more corporate greed--it is disguised corporate welfare, and a veto without having to actually issue a veto.

And more little boys and girls will suffer.