Of storms and health insurance

Posted by Joel Mathis October 12, 2007 at 9:45 a.m.

Fund proposed for storm areasState leaders have proposed releasing $5 million to jump-start housing redevelopment in storm-damaged communities.More than 1,300 homes were destroyed by the May 4 tornado in Greensburg and flooding in southeast Kansas in July.The funds would go toward families trying rebuild their homes and developers of rental property. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, and House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg, will bring the proposal to the State Finance Council for approval on Oct. 17."This is one step in what must be a long-term effort to help damaged communities get back on their feet," Schmidt said.Sebelius criticizes Bush over SCHIP vetoAfter speaking with Bush administration officials about the president's veto of a funding increase for the State Children's Health Insurance Program, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius had harsh words for the president. Of Bush's position, Sebelius said, "At best, it's a lack of understanding of how health insurance is administered to these kids; at worst, it's immoral."Congress has approved a five-year $35 billion increase in SCHIP, which currently provides low-cost health insurance to 6.6 million children from families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to purchase private health insurance.Bush vetoed the bill, saying the proposed increase, funded by a tax increase on cigarettes, was too much and would result in some families on private insurance switching to SCHIP."The President is not listening to governors, he's not listening to the Senate and he's not listening to Congress. The override appears to be the only strategy to guarantee that this program continues," Sebelius said.She urged Kansans to contract U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback and U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt to vote to override Bush's veto of a funding increase for the program. Tiahrt voted against the SCHIP increase, and Brownback had voted against an earlier version. The rest of the Kansas delegation has supported the SCHIP bill and vowed to vote to override the veto.U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa, whose district includes west Lawrence planned a news conference today with health officials to urge a veto override.

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Godot (anonymous) says…

Tacking the expansion of the program to the funding of the original program was the immoral and obscenely political act. If the expansion was so needed, it should have been drafted, approved and sent ot the White House as a separate bill.
October 12, 2007 at 2:36 p.m.