Smith Urges Agreement on Children`s Health Measure

"We must rise above the partisanship in Washington and deliver a bill that will make a difference in the health care of millions of kids." - Gordon Smith

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) urged his colleagues today to work together quickly to reach a comprise on legislation to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

His statement comes following a vote on the second legislative attempt in the Senate (H.R. 3963) to reauthorize the program after the initial measure was vetoed in early October. H.R. 3963 also is expected to be vetoed by the White House.

Though the bill passed with a veto-proof majority in the Senate, it was several votes shy of this threshold in the House of Representatives, who voted on the measure last week.

“I regret that another children’s health measure will fall victim to a veto,” said Senator Smith. “We must rise above the partisanship in Washington and deliver a bill that will make a difference in the health care of millions of kids. I hope quality children’s health care will be part of the legacy this Congress builds rather than more walls from partisan battle.”

SCHIP is a joint federal-state program that provides health care coverage to low-income children. The legislation made adjustments to provisions opposed by some members, but retained funding levels from the original legislation which allows to program to cover up to 10 million uninsured children (over 100,000 kids total in Oregon).

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Henry Ruark November 4, 2007 4:55 am (Pacific time)

Z-whatever et al: Yrs here behind anonymity clearly indicates need for psychological help. Many others with same level of response to open, honest dialog here reflect similar major problems. Universal health care can supply that, obviously NOT available now. World experience cited by impartial authorities proves that pattern works; ours is in serious failure, obviously. Hope your top does not blow off before this inevitability does, finally, arrive.

Zyskandar A Jaimot November 2, 2007 10:51 am (Pacific time)

"Let's do it for the chilluns" scream the DEMBHOLES[operant relative portions of ^SSHOLES DUMD-DEMOCRATS=DEMBHOLES]Senaturds even though 'kids' are now chilluns until age 25 and 'indigent' even if their family's garner $86,000 dollars a year and will be 'mandated' to move from private insurance to government subsidy!!! Another LIBERAL no PROGRESSIVE no SOCIALIST RIP-OFF!!! OF COURSE THEY FORGOT TO MENTION THAT PRESIDENT BUSH 'OFFERED' AN INCREASE IN $5BILLION DOLLARS IF THE DEMBHOLES WOULD 'COVER' REALLY 'POOR' CHILLUNS BUT DEMBHOLES WOULD RATHER 'PLAY' THE POLITICAL SPIN GAME THAN REALLY 'DO IT FOR THE CHILLUNS'!!! Jes' another DEMBHOLE-DIMWIT political ploy - don't do anything use it for 'talking-points'!!! Ha!

conservative November 1, 2007 9:35 pm (Pacific time)

It will bankrupt this Country. It will be good for all the illegals but not for the American people. Get rid of the illegals and there will be enough money to take care of the Americans

jacksmith November 1, 2007 7:15 pm (Pacific time)

Well, my hat is off to the US congress. They are fighting like hell! For Americas children. For your children. Democrats, and republicans together. Bravo! congress. Bravo!

For the first time in the history of America. The life expectancy of today's children is less than that of their parents. This is catastrophic. And our infant mortality is equal to that of a third world country. Current U.S. adult life expectancy is down from #1 to #42. And dropping fast. These facts are what is known as EXTINCTION! indicators. These are the early signs of the final phase of the EXTINCTION of the American people.

You have to take the profit motive out of health care delivery. The profit motive does not work with health care. Or any other essential public service like police, and fire. The sooner everyone faces this truth. The sooner you will be able to adopt a real solution to the problem. The days of paying for health care out of pocket are at an end. Just like the mob days of paying for protection out of pocket came to an end.

HR 676 is the way to go. Single payer Universal National Health Care For All. Medicare for all. Accept no substitutes. The sooner you face this. The sooner you begin to heal the Cancer of private for profit medicine that is destroying this entire society. Other developed countries realized this years ago. It's a no-brainer now. See sickocure.org

Money, greed, and the profit motive has just decimated health care in America. And killed, and injured millions needlessly. Just for profit. But that is what large amounts of money, greed, and a lust for power always does. No one is immune from this corrupting power. The smart ones know this. And avoid letting them-self be put in compromising positions. But that is easier said. Than done. And very few succeed.

Most in the US go into medicine primarily to become wealthy. That is who the medical schools mostly choose. Most of the medical schools faculty are in bed with the drug companies, and others. And like the story of Dr. Faustus. They end up selling their soles. One compromise at a time. Until Lucifer owns them.

In medicine. Compromised care means. Injury, disability, and death. It's sad really. But HR 676 can fix this disgrace. Like it has in other developed countries. The only question is. How many more millions will be hurt, injured, and killed. And how many more of your children will die before their time. Before we fix this disgrace of private for profit health care in America.

I realize there will be a few people that have what they believe is good health care coverage. Who will want to opt out of a single payer system like HR 676. But let me remind you we rank # 37 in quality of health care for all. Down from #1. Never the less. A few opting out is not a problem. As long as all other Americans are automatically covered at birth through life. Unless they choose to opt out of HR 676. The government takes out 1.4% from your paycheck now for Medicare. All they have to do is substitute for HR 676 what they now take out of your paychecks for private health insurance. Remember, we already spend more on health care than any other country in the world. Right Now. We are being ripped off. And raped.

The SCHIP program is a desperately needed program for Americas children. But with the impending EXTINCTION of Americas children. And their current catastrophic health care condition. SCHIP needs to be extended to cover all of Americas children, immediately. Parents should have no hesitations, or financial worries about seeking medical care for their children. Whenever they have any concerns about their children's health. Especially in the richest country in the world. I would submit that any President, or politician that fails to do this for the children. Betrays their most solemn oath to protect the American people. Especially when you consider that all other developed countries have done this. And that we are the richest country in the world.

So get on it America. Get it done. You have been doing great over the past several months. Keep it up. And step it up. You have to force it, and take it. It's the right fight, and the right thing to do. Now is the time... Take no prisoners.

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Smith Urges Agreement on Children`s Health Measure

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