Chipped away: Congressmen can be hazardous to children's health
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The 5th Congressional District is the largest in Pennsylvania, stretching across rural counties from Clarion to Warren, then across the northern tier to the Bradford County line. Its representative, John E. Peterson, a Republican from Venango County, has a message for 7,593 children in his district: I don't care about your health.
Bill Shuster, the Blair County Republican, has the same message for 7,394 children in his 9th District, running from Fayette County east past Breezewood.
The numbers represent the children in the two districts who are not covered by health insurance.
The congressmen, along with Joseph R. Pitts, R-Chester, are the only three members of the state's delegation who are steadfast in their opposition to a $35 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Pennsylvania's two senators and its other House members voted in favor of it, even Republican stalwarts Tim Murphy of Upper St. Clair and Phil English of Erie.
If Mr. Peterson and Mr. Shuster don't change their positions and vote to override President Bush's veto of this legislation, the harm will extend beyond the borders of their districts. Children and working-class families across the nation will suffer the consequences.
In a twisted assertion, Republican leaders have argued that it's the Democrats who are preventing reauthorization of the program, since they won't go along with the president's plan to increase funding by $5 billion instead of $35 billion.
The CHIP program has been a success, and more eligible families need to take advantage of it. CHIP provides health insurance, for free or on a sliding scale based on income, for families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance. Six million children are covered and the expansion could extend it to 10 million more.
The Senate passed the higher funding level by a veto-proof margin, but the House fell 25 votes short. An attempt to override is scheduled for today and it's time for Mr. Peterson and Mr. Shuster to cast a vote for the children they represent. Maybe Mr. Murphy and Mr. English can talk them into it.
First Published October 18, 2007 12:00 am
