September 27th, 2007 at 8:22 am
The Newark Advocate posted an article on its news web site about the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan which may sunset on Monday. It complains about the 3600 kids in Licking County who may lose health insurance and 536 children who won’t get it.
The only statement in opposition (which would be nice in a balanced news article) is this: “The president has threatened veto it, citing its expansion as a move by Democrats toward federal health care.”
There is no mention of the 61 cent per pack tax increase (total $1) on cigarettes required to fund this. What has Ohio done with its portion of the tobacco settlement money that was supposed to help with these kind of things? That would be an interesting study.
No mention either of the number of people who presently buy health insurance who would dump it in order to get a free ride from the federal government. You and I both know that the tobacco taxes won’t be enough to fund this, and everyone is going to foot the bill sooner or later.
No mention that there is no provision in the U.S. Constitution for it in the first place. If the states want to do it, it’s their prerogative and responsibility.
The article does mention that the new bill extends eligibility up to 300% from 200% of the poverty level. $20,000 per year for a family of four is a significant difference.
The Advocate should at least move this article to the Opinion page and apologize for not presenting a balanced view of the issue.
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