12-Year-Old Asks Bush To Sign Children's Health Bill

[jefferson_dem]

Source: DNC Radio Address

12-Year-Old Asks Bush To Sign Children's Health Bill

Graeme Frost, 12, delivers this week's Democratic Radio Address. Because of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Graeme was able to get the medical care he needed after a serious car accident caused severe brain trauma, paralyzed one of his vocal chords and put him in a coma. He asks President Bush to sign into law the renewal of CHIP that both houses of Congress passed this week with broad bipartisan support.

The text of the radio address, as delivered, is below:

"Hi, my name is Graeme Frost. I'm 12 years old and I live in Baltimore, Maryland. Most kids my age probably haven't heard of CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program. But I know all about it, because if it weren't for CHIP, I might not be here today.

"CHIP is a law the government made to help families like mine afford healthcare for their kids. Three years ago, my family was in a really bad car accident. My younger sister Gemma and I were both hurt. I was in a coma for a week and couldn't eat or stand up or even talk at first. My sister was even worse. I was in the hospital for five-and-a-half months and I needed a big surgery. For a long time after that, I had to go to physical therapy after school to get stronger. But even though I was hurt badly, I was really lucky. My sister and I both were.

"My parents work really hard and always make sure my sister and I have everything we need, but the hospital bills were huge. We got the help we needed because we had health insurance for us through the CHIP program.

"But there are millions of kids out there who don't have CHIP, and they wouldn't get the care that my sister and I did if they got hurt. Their parents might have to sell their cars or their houses, or they might not be able to pay for hospital bills at all.

"Now I'm back to school. One of my vocal chords is paralyzed so I don't talk the same way I used to. And I can't walk or run as fast as I did. The doctors say I can't play football any more, but I might still be able to be a coach. I'm just happy to be back with my friends.

"I don't know why President Bush wants to stop kids who really need help from getting CHIP. All I know is I have some really good doctors. They took great care of me when I was sick, and I'm glad I could see them because of the Children's Health Program.

"I just hope the President will listen to my story and help other kids to be as lucky as me. This is Graeme Frost, and this has been the Weekly Democratic Radio address. Thanks for listening."

###

Graeme Frost, 12, was in a serious car accident a few years ago and suffered severe brain trauma. He was in a coma and lost his ability to eat and walk. Fortunately, Graeme was covered by the CHIP program and was able to get the medical care he needed. After extensive therapy and continual treatments at a clinic he goes to every summer, Graeme has regained his functional abilities. He still needs to visit several different specialists, and his mother, Bonnie, says he would not have survived - or would at least be wheelchair-bound - without medical coverage.

Read more: http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/09/twelve-year-old.php

---

AUDIO of address at link --> http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/09/twelve-year-old.php

[truthisfreedom]

1. It'll be a joy to watch the WH reaction to this. Why DOES bush want to stop CHIP?

[NMMNG]

7. It aims to help people

:shrug:

[tblue]

8. Because he doesn't give a shit. He is, after all, the Vulture of Life, no?

[Myrina]

9. ... because its so much easier to manipulate workers ...

... when their children's insurance/health care is the bargaining chip.
If there is no such thing as a 'social safety net', then most parents will work ridiculous hours and give up almost all other benefits in order to make sure their children have what they need.


"Bushco: Bringing Indentured Servitude into the 21st Century" :evilfrown:

[KalicoKitty]

22. He said it costs too much!!!!

Yet, Bush's war in Iraq is costing 500,000.00 per MINUTE!

Millions of children are living in poverty and/or homeless and without healthcare.
I read where just $720 million a day could buy homes for 6,500 families or health care for 423,529 children.

[bdamomma]

30. just with that comment he made should show everyone in

Congress what a sick SOB, he is.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

32. INSURANCE THIEVES, OF COURSE

[bluerum]

2. He does not have a choice. Veto proof margin. eom

[GOPNotForMe]

4. Veto-proof margin in the Senate, NOT the House.

A big chunk of stupid House Republicans have decided, for some insane reason, to stick with Bush on this issue.... career suicide, let's hope!

[rodeodance]

16. House needs 24 more votes

[rodeodance]

34. I read elsewhere, House needs 15-and I do not know which is correct

[slick8790]

19. a big chunk of stupid republicans, and 3 or 4 dems, including kucinich...

[Geostudent]

5. Not Veto Proof

It hit the required 67 votes in the Senate, but the House is 25 votes short of the 2/3rds required.

[bluerum]

11. oooo,,, did not realize that

[Klukie]

3. I applaud the dems for this...

Who better to advocate the chip program than someone who directly benefited from it.

[classof56]

6. Blessings to Graeme and his family.

His courage and determination are a true inspiration. I am more than happy to have my tax dollars used for him and all children who benefit from CHIP. Shame and Double-Shame on Bush and all who support the efforts to shut down this program.

Tired Old Cynic

[rodeodance]

17. nicely said

[classof56]

25. I thank you!

[calimary]

24. That's for sure! And the children shall lead. I hope this kid does!

Seems to me this kind of thing is what our tax money is for, anyway. I'd MUCH rather pay taxes for this than for new-and-improved ways and missions to kill a lot of people who are different than I am.

Our money should be going for things that REALLY count and really help people - things that benefit the public good. Things that offer sustenance and hope rather than things that encourage and exploit fear, hatred, and terror. THAT is a family value. THAT is national security at the most foundational, cellular level.

[classof56]

26. You are so right. I always like your posts, calimary.

Thoughtful, well articulated and from the heart.

Blessings!

[JTFrog]

10. Fuck Bush!

Who could let any child down, let alone a child like this?

Dear Mr. Bush,

My only wish before you die, is that you get in return everything that you have given.

Then and only then will I be satisfied.

JTFrog

[Vinca]

12. Hey, kid. Shrub only cares about you when you're a fetus. nt

[Demeter]

13. Fighting Dirty--The Only Way to Do It!

It's about time, Democrats! Who's the thinker that put this together? I want him/her to run for President.

[PurityOfEssence]

14. Sadly, Cindy-Lou Who was unavailable...

You're a mean one, Mr. Bush...

[rodeodance]

15. Boehner: Using Children For Political Messaging Is ‘Beyond The Pale,’ Unless I Do It

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject Boehner: Using Children For Political Messaging Is ‘Beyond The Pale,’ Unless I Do It
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1939464#1939464
1939464, Boehner: Using Children For Political Messaging Is ‘Beyond The Pale,’ Unless I Do It
Posted by babylonsister on Sat Sep-29-07 12:25 PM

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/09/29/boehners-kids /

Boehner: Using Children For Political Messaging Is ‘Beyond The Pale,’ Unless I Do It

This week’s Democratic Radio Address will be delivered by a 12-year-old boy named Graeme Frost. Graeme was in a severe car accident three years ago, and received care under the SCHIP program.

In his address, Graeme will tell the story of how he “was in a coma for a week and couldn’t eat or stand up or even talk at first.” But, using coverage provided under SCHIP, Graeme received treatment that allowed him to return to school and begin to lead a normal life again.

A spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) sharply criticized Graeme’s appearance:

To use an innocent young child as a human shield and misrepresent the position of the president of the United States is, frankly, beyond the pale.

If there’s one thing Boehner just won’t tolerate, it’s politicians employing children for political purposes…





The SCHIP bill sent to Bush for authorization would provide essential medical care for four million children like Graeme Frost. Yet John Boehner seems more interested in playing partisan games than in supporting expansion of a program that is “widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest social policy successes.”

[rodeodance]

18. Topic subject Roberts, a loyal Bushie, went to the Senate floor this week and, point by

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject Roberts, a loyal Bushie, went to the Senate floor this week and, point by
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1940344#1940344
1940344, Roberts, a loyal Bushie, went to the Senate floor this week and, point by
Posted by rodeodance on Sat Sep-29-07 03:29 PM



point DE-myth all the President's lies that he has been telling. Spread it around


Senator Pat Roberts, Republican, KS

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?r110:6:./temp/~r110qD2Qui:e23471 :



CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007 -- (Senate - September 27, 2007)

…….I appreciate the administration's passion and persistence on having a broader health care debate. However, holding a children's health insurance bill hostage is not the right way to achieve this goal. I support the goals of reforming the Tax Code to promote the purchase of private health insurance. Let me repeat that, Madam President. I support the goals of reforming the Tax Code to promote the purchase of private health insurance. But I have yet to see a plan from the administration that can actually pass the Congress.

In fact, I have yet to see an actual plan from the administration. I have yet to see bullet points from the administration. I have yet to see any plan that can be articulated in some fashion to sell to the American public or to the Members of this body. We don't even have an acronym for this plan. My word, you can't do anything around here without an acronym.

The administration has also raised concerns that this bill is a march toward the federalization of health care. I would argue that is simply not true. I would never support a bill to federalize health care. I remember that battle a decade ago. There is no way I want to go down that road again.

I think it is important to point out what I think is a paradox of enormous irony in regard to the claim that this bill is a step toward the federalization of health care. In reality, this administration has approved waivers--approved waivers--to cover adults under a children's health care insurance program. Let me repeat that. Under this administration's watch, we now have 14 States covering adults under the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Now, this administration and others expressed grave concern that SCHIP is the next step to universal health care. Yet this very same administration is approving waivers to cover adults under a children's health program. And, unfortunately, a number of these States are covering more adults through their SCHIP program than they do children, even while high rates of uninsured children still remain. This is not fair. This is not right. It is wrong.

I don't mean to pick on other States, but let's take a look at a few examples. New Jersey now covers individuals up to 350 percent of the Federal poverty level and spends over 40 percent of its SCHIP funds on adults. This is even while over 100,000 low-income children in the State remain uninsured. This isn't right.

..........

Now, I am not trying to pick on these States. I can go on and on because, again, there are currently 14 that cover adults on a program that was meant for children. And how are these States able to cover adults under the Children's Health Insurance Program? Again, through waivers approved by this administration. This is certainly not fair to States such as Kansas that have been playing by the rules and targeting our programs to low-income children. I am beginning to wonder if we have the wrong name for the State Children's Health Insurance Program. I don't think it was intended to be the adult health care insurance program.

The greatest paradox of enormous irony, however, is that this bill actually stops the waivers this administration has been so generously granting to States to cover adults by not allowing more adult waivers to be approved. Let me say that again. The greatest paradox of enormous irony is that this bill actually stops the waivers this administration has been so generously granting the States to cover adults by not allowing more adult waivers to be approved. This means future administrations that may want to use SCHIP as a means to expand government health care to adults will be prevented by law from doing so. As a result, this bill ensures that the Children's Health Insurance Program remains just that--a program for low-income children.

This bill also phases out childless adults currently being covered with SCHIP funds and lowers the Federal matching rate for States that currently have waivers to cover parents and now must meet certain benchmarks in covering low-income children. As a result, this bill brings excessive spending on adult populations in check.......lots more.......

[Honeycombe8]

36. If only one of the Dems had been this bold and articulate on the subject. nt

[Vidar]

20. Type to slap around some 12 year old orphans, Georgie. (Not that

Graeme Frost is necessarily an orphan. Just adding some Dickensian pathos here.)

[DinahMoeHum]

21. "The Republican Party Doesn't Care About America's Children"

Here's hoping Dr. Dean (DNC) whacks the Goopers on the head with this stick.

:kick:

[calimary]

23. Yep. This, too, is a "Family Value."

Another EXCELLENT opportunity to attack THEIR strength - the moralistic "family values" crap and REALLY make it mean something, as opposed to being a bumper sticker on a 2x4 with which they keep hitting us in the face. Let's use it to club THEM for a change! You SAY you support family values. And yet you do this.

Just MORE republi-CON hypocrisy.

This, too, is a "Family Value."

In fact, this, too, is HOMELAND SECURITY. When families are on the financial ropes through no fault of their own, and they're in extreme upheaval, how does that contribute to a stable society that can ward off dangers and threats and put all its energy into maintaining our guard and keeping ourselves alert?

And yes, we ought to be hammering this home again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

[hollowdweller]

27. Support the Kids!

[dweller]

28. did *moron respond with his usual?

"who cares what you think?"


dp

[Quantess]

31. Maybe he said, "sure kid, I'll give you my autograph...."

"...Don't go sell that on eBay, now."

(He once said something similar to a gold star mother.)

[bdamomma]

29. oh. god, now kids are pleading to that sick SOB to save their lives

* is a vile man, if he vetos 10 million children who need SCHIP.

[rodeodance]

33. only in America!

[rodeodance]

35. Chuck Schumer just said Pelosi would send back over and over