I must not be thinking clearly. I actually like legislation by Frist that helps fund the healthcare for poor children in America.
U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. (R-TN) have introduced the ``Covering Kids Act of 2005." The legislation provides $100 million in funding to states, local communities, schools, faith-based organizations, Indian tribes, safety net providers and others to enroll eligible children under Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP).
http://bingaman.senate.gov/Bingaman_Press_Release/bingaman_press_release_0.html
Okay, I really disagree with federal funds going to faith-based orginzations as this legislation suggests. This clearly should not happen.
However, if I have to choose between my value of the seperation of church and state and my value that says children deserve healthcare, I am going with the children. It is certainly not the best of circumstances. But with the Rebublicans being in power, these are not the best of times. We have to make compromises where we can to help the people who need it the most. Poor children are high on that list of need.
I cannot find the bill at http://thomas.loc.gov.
Maybe they have not had a chance to get typed in yet. However, from what I have read, I definitely support this legislation.
100 million dollars is a drop in the bucket. It is certainly not enough money going to the poor, in my opinion. The poor children are vulernable just like the elderly. We provide the elderly with medicare. The poor children are more vulnerable than the elederly because a lot of the elederly have excellent private health insurance. The poor children were born into a family that does not have a lot of money. Children cannot go get a job that has health insurance or insist that their parents provide them with medical treatment. Children are at the mercy of their parents and society as a whole.
I would prefer Kerry's "Kids come first" act to pass instead. Kerry's bill would do the following:
To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to ensure that every uninsured child in America has health insurance coverage, and for other purposes.
This is absolutely my first choice. I would be living in a dream world if I thought it was going to pass, though. I appreciate the fact Kerry has put pressure on the Congress to address the healthcare crisis, especially for the almost 11 million uninsured children in this country.
Maybe Kerry's legislation encouraged Bingaman and Frist to introduce the "Covering Kids" Act.
Would you support the "Covering Kids" Act?