From Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report:
Presidential Candidates on SCHIP
In related news, while Democratic presidential candidates have been vocal about their support for SCHIP, Republican presidential candidates "are lining up behind Bush's vow to veto the legislation," CongressDaily reports. Even so, "none of the Republican presidential hopefuls appear to be going out of their way to call attention to their positions on SCHIP," according to CongressDaily.
We're not as shy as they are.
Presidential candidate and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said that he would "probably vote to sustain the president's veto" because of concerns over whether the tobacco tax would raise sufficient funds to pay for the program expansion.
Presidential candidate and former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) expressed similar concerns, adding, "It's unfortunate that (members of Congress) pit people against one another. .... We're on an unsustainable spending path in this country and no one seems willing to put the brakes on anywhere."
Presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) said he would veto SCHIP legislation because the program "is a very expensive way to spend more money and not get us much down the track of getting everybody insured."
Presidential candidate and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) last month expressed concerns that the proposal would allow some states to increase income eligibility to 400% of the poverty level.
Republicans are on the wrong side of the issue. And Republican Presidential candidates are headed over the same cliff as the rest of the party.