My Challenge to the President

I want to make sure you see the latest video from Families USA, one of the most important advocates in the ongoing battle to protect children's health care.

Families USA is part of the broad, bipartisan effort that achieved a solid initial victory last week, when both the House and the Senate approved a bill extending and reforming the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Unfortunately, President Bush vetoed the bill.

Earlier this week, a group of children pulling little red wagons went to the gates of the White House to urge the President to sign the bill, because it's so vital to good health care for the nation's children in the years ahead. I hope very much that President Bush and Congress will hear and heed their plea.

Apparently this President's priorities aren't the same as mainstream America's:

He says the bill costs too much. But for the price of one day in Iraq, we could cover 256,000 children. One week would cover 1.8 million children. And just over one month of the Iraq war would cover the full cost of the bill and insure 10 million children for a whole year.

Because the current SCHIP program falls far short of meeting the need, hundreds of thousands of children have lost their coverage on President Bush's watch. It's incomprehensible that the President would threaten to veto legislation that corrects this serious problem.

There's one thing President Bush and I do have in common, though - American taxpayers cover 72% of our health care premiums, because current law has long-permitted good insurance coverage for federal employees.

So I ask President Bush and the Members in Congress who support his veto:

Would you deny your own family what you'll be denying to millions of other families if this bill is vetoed? If you don't believe the federal government should support children's health care, how can you in good conscience accept it for your own families?

All Members of Congress have the peace of mind that when their children are sick, they can afford to take them to the doctor. Why doesn't every American family deserve that peace of mind?

The President's veto will have terrible consequences - just look at the faces on the Families USA video. It's time everyone understood what those consequences are.

That's why so many of us in Congress - Republicans and Democrats alike - are fighting so hard for this bill, to keep the faith with the millions of children who are counting on us for the healthy start in life that every American deserves.

Comments

[dadw5boys]

How many kids could be insured with the money given to Black Water?
How many years?
How can anyone, with a concious, justify paying Black Water to 6 times as much as they pay a U.S. Soldier.
When will our Government wake up to the fact we need a standing Military of 500,000 men and the reserves.
Please wake up to the fact that Privatization is a miserable failure all over the world. Look at Argentina's Economy now after Privatization. Look at South Africa and the water systems failute there. Heck in the USA in Alanta the city had to reclaim the water system. You can't privatize public systems. It only severs to prevent the citizens from giving helping other citizens a helping hand.
Time for NATIONAL HEALTH CARE.
Canada has a BUDGET SURPLUS and the citizens there are not straving or suffering like some of the people in the U.S.. This is a national disgrace.

[Sammy1]

So I ask President Bush and the Members in Congress who support his veto:

Would you deny your own family what you'll be denying to millions of other families if this bill is vetoed? If you don't believe the federal government should support children's health care, how can you in good conscience accept it for your own families?

Your mistake here is assuming they have a "good conscience".

[disgustedcitizen]

Senator Kennedy, the Democrats are in bad need of a new Senate Majority Leader. Someone who will stand up to the bullying from the bush/cheney administration. Someone who will continue to bring badly needed bills to the floor even if he can't get a majority to pass it. Someone who will make the Democratic Majority in the Senate look less like a toothless tiger.

How about it? You interested?

[atelram]

I AM WITH YOU!!!

[Goddatunda]

sdskelton,

It doesn't make you evil, you raise a valid point - however, as I understand it, the bill as it stands offers incentives to States to fund health insurance for those below the poverty level.

I'm not sure of the particulars, but it seems to me that as the richest nation on the planet, we ought to be able to fully protect the health of every (citizen's) child within our borders.

SCHIP may not be perfect, but it brings us much closer to that goal - improve on it, don't denounce it, when it is guaranteed to have at least some benefit.

As for making $40,000 a year and being able to afford the $600+ a month I pay to insure my wife and kids, it was d__n near impossible.

At $50,000, I can make it - just barely.

[sdskelton03]

I believe that as the richest nation on the planet we have an obligation to assist our citizens in maintaining thier own health insurance.

I think the way to do it is to mandate coverage for everybody. Put together some sort of means test to assist the poor in buying thier coverage. Require plans with high deductables (not sure exactly the $).

People will pay for thier own minor problems and be protected against catastrophe. This way market forces will insure availability and reasonable prices for things like physicals, minor injuries and illnesses.

Thank you for your kind words and reasoned response. You are a breath of fresh air around here.

[hmmmmmer]

Duh, yuh think? This president would really get along with some 3rd world dictator. He really should try being friends with Chavez, Castro, gosh the little Iranian midget would also like him.

[MSB]

The privatization of social services is absolute nonsense. If we are just protecting the corporation on behalf of the monied, how are we even a country? "We" are increasingly just a protectionist gang.

This "President" isn't any kind of man. He is a pampered baby who hasn't done an honest day's work in his life. He and his jolly band of criminals should be stuffed into a prison for the rest of their lives by the citizens of this country who have been betrayed and treated like an endless checking account.

[tomcatv1]

"Apparently this President's priorities aren't the same as mainstream America's.­.."

His priorities aren't even human.

[tlcutter]

My challenge to you Mr. Kennedy is to be honest on how this will be paid for. Tobacco taxes?
Not a chance. With fewer and fewer people smoking each year and the numbers of those being covered by the proposed health care plan growing each year the projected cost do not add up. Just go ahead and say that EVERYONES taxes will have to be increased to pay for this. Even those that will benefit from the program will see a tax increase.
Furthermore for someone who has lived off the backs of the taxpayers their entire life and has become well versed on using tax shelters to avoid paying your own share of taxes maybe you should avoid pointing your fingers at others over their insurance coverage.

[RobNelb]

Complaining about tobacco taxes is just another canard distracting us from the real substance of this bill - covering millions of uninsured children, the majority of whom are already eligible for the current program but are just not enrolled.
The tobacco taxes will actually save about 100,000 lives in addition to the children who are saved by access to affordable health care.
For some more facts on this debate, visit my recent post on the topic http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-nelb/schip-by-the-numbers_b_66112.html

[tlcutter]

I am not complaining about tobacco taxes. I asked for some honesty in how this will eventually be funded. Higher taxes. Your projections that the tobacco tax will save about 100,000 lives is not based on fact. It is mere hypotheticals. This is not an issue for the federal govt. This is an issue for the states.

[tlcutter]

I am not complaining about tobacco taxes. I just want the truth on how will this be financed. It will be done by raising taxes on all americans.
Your hypothesis about the tax saving lives is simply that . A hypothesis not fact.

[Advocate123]

Senator Kennedy:

You are being misleading. 25 year olds are not children. But, they are according to the Bill that Bush vetoed.

Create a reasonable form of legislation and he may sign it.

[speakyourmind]

Give me one example of Bush doing something "reasonabl­e." Give me one example of Bush knowing what the word "reasonable" means.

[rottenart]

Could you please cite where in the bill passed by either the Senate or House it says this. I'm combing the bill right now and haven't seen anything to that effect yet.

[KarlRoves3rdchin]

American taxpayers cover 72% of Bush's health care premiums -okay, since he vetoed children's healthcare we should take his healthcare away -hey, he can go to an emergency room, right!

And of course this is NEVER talked about in MSM -that WE TAXPAYERS pay for Bush, Cheney (and all of Congress) healthcare.

Another thing that is NEVER talked about is the fact that Cheney has a 24/7 medical TEAM -yes TEAM that US TAXPAYERS pay for!!!

I'm telling you -these guys are criminals! Both Prez and Vice Prez have ruined this country and they need to be IMPEACHED!

[Mike O.]

Please find the GAO or other government agency report that states the amount and duration of the taxpayer burden for the VPs "team" of health providers.

If you're going to make a claim, then have the facts ready or you'll just look like the uneducated, liberal idiot that you probably are.

[PKSSK]

Mike O. VP is a government employee who is paid via funding provided by federal tax system. Funding provides payment for government employee benefits such as vacation, pension and healthcare. Are you trying to suggest that VP pays for his own "team" of health care providers? I think not. However, if you are able to get your hands on binding documents that suggest otherwise please provide for all to see. For that matter, if you are able to get your hands on any binding documents associated with this administration that would be a miracle!

[KarlRoves3rdchin]

you're the idiot...al­l you have to do is search the web for Cheney medical team and you will find quotes from the VP himself that states he has a 24/7 medical team. Here's something from CNN when the dumb ass VP shot someone in the face you frickin ignorant paid for troll!

"A medical team accompanying the vice president administered first aid to Whittington when the accident happened at 5:50 p.m., Secret Service spokesman Tom Mazur said. The Secret Service told sheriff's deputies about the accident an hour later, after Whittington was headed for a hospital in Kingsville and the hunting party had returned to the ranch house, he said."

[KarlRoves3rdchin]

Mike O. You're quite ignorant. Taxpayers have been paying for Cheney's healthcare ever since he's been in Congress -and then VP. It is common knowledge to those of us with a brain in our heads that paying for a 24/7 medical team is a huge chunk of change...a­re we (taxpayers footing the bill) ever going to be able to see what we are charge for this 24/7 team -no. Are we provided with any of the costs we bare for any of these in people in Congress, Pres or VP -no.

And if you are trying to say that Cheney does not have a medical team you are wrong -he had one as soon as he nominated himself VP!

"Doctor Is Dropped From Cheney's Medical Team
Published: July 5, 2004

ASHINGTON, July 4 - Vice President Dick Cheney's personal doctor, who four years ago declared Mr. Cheney "up to the task of the most sensitive public office" despite a history of heart disease, was battling an addiction to prescription drugs at the time and has recently been dropped from the vice president's medical team, according to officials at the hospital where he practiced.

Notice -Medical TEAM!!

[tlcutter]

Impeach them over getting health care just as all before them and all that will come after them will also recieve. Just brilliant.

[Overd0g]

That's a job benefit. If you want the same benefit, go get elected.

[scooperss]

Just exactly what do you expect the American people to do? Give you complete control is what I think you want.
You whine that you can't do anything. If you're that ineffectual now I'm not sure I trust you to do what's necessary to get this country back on the right path.

Stop whining to the choir and do what you're supposed to be doing. Working for the American people.

[CeeCee]

What is more important that the health of our children? They are the future.

Evidently, for this president, it's a case of "apres moi, le deluge" -- and we all know the consequences of that statement!

[pgf1948]

Senator Kennedy,

The absolute blind arrogance and dismissiveness of this President toward the real needs of the nation and the majority of its people have given us an American Dark Ages for the last six years-- socially, scientifically, fiscally, and morally. I hope we can recover, but I increasingly doubt it.

Whom do we have BUT the Congress and courts to counter the monstrous actions and policies of this White House? I changed my party registratioin from Republican to Democrat when it became clear to me early in the Bush Administration where he was "leading" this country. I thought it mattered, as I thought my votes in 2006 mattered.

I am bitterly disappointed in both parties with their self-serving grandstanding and blather and pandering to lobbies. National elected office today is little more than a license to steal from the American people. The voice of the people may as well be shouting into a hurricane.

Just keep sending back to Bush, and sending back to him again and again, the legislation that the majority of the people support in all areas: Iraq, healthcare, the environment, education, etc.

Do your jobs Congresspeople, and I won't resent all the benefits that we the taxpayers guarantee to you whether we like it or not.

[kpod]

Hear, hear. Senator Feingold makes the same point in his column on HuffPost today.

[PaHairO]

Senator Kennedy, this is a good spot. Keep hammering away at this "if not us, why then you ?" meme.

It works. Stick it to the rotten bastards.

[duggie1956]

well. Nobody ever said the ANTI-CHRIST had to be intelligent !