Dems unhappy about concessions being made on children's health insurance

[babylonsister]

http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/09/house_democrats_grumble_about.html

House Democrats Grumble About SCHIP Negotiations but Will Support Bill
By CQ Staff | 7:21 AM; Sep. 18, 2007

By Alex Wayne

Some House Democrats are unhappy with concessions their leaders are proposing to make in negotiations with the Senate to renew children’s health insurance, but they are not expected to oppose a final bill.

Negotiations are continuing as House Democrats, having conceded on spending and Medicare issues, press Senate leaders to accept policy that some Senate Republicans don’t like.

Child advocates, lobbyists and Senate aides said last week that House and Senate Democratic leaders have tentatively agreed to a compromise renewal of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) that would expand spending by about $35 billion over the next five years, to $60 billion — matching spending in the Senate version (HR 976).

A tobacco tax increase would pay for the expansion, including a 61-cent increase in the cigarette tax, to $1 per pack — another element of the Senate bill. And the compromise bill would not include a House-passed cut to Medicare Advantage, a program in which insurers provide health benefits to seniors in place of the government, or other Medicare provisions from the House version (HR 3162).

Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel, D-N.Y., who confirmed the outline of the agreement Monday, is one of the House Democrats upset by those concessions. “I’m very unhappy. It’s not even a compromise. It’s their way or the highway,” he said, referring to the Senate.

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http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/09/house_democrats_grumble_about.html

[OHdem10]

1. Democrats just like Republicans:::

We have this small batch of money. We will not raise
taxes. They take money from those who can least afford
and rob Seniors for Children. Eventually just the
"Starve the Beasters" wish they will do away with the
safety net. Robbing Peter to pay Paul, is not a solution.

The GOP will use this against them big time. They are
using it at their town hall meetings.

Sometimes I just shake my head in dismay.