Dingell fights back on Bush attack

Dingell attacks Bush on child health care program September 20, 2007 By TODD SPANGLER FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF WASHINGTON – As President George W. Bush accused Democrats in Congress of using a health insurance program for children to score political points, Rep. John Dingell, a Dearborn Democrat who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, hurled the claim back at the president. “It’s time for this administration to stop using our kids as a political pawn and start working with Congress to protect the health of American’s children.” Dingell said in a prepared statement. AdvertisementThe debate between Democrats and the White House is over the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which funds programs in Michigan and elsewhere. It is set to expire at the end of the month.Democrats have proposed an expansion in the program worth about $35 million – far more than the $5 million wanted by the White House, which has accused the majority Democrats of trying to use the program to expand coverage far beyond its original intent, providing insurance to more adults and middle-class families.Calling that plan “a federalization of health care,” Bush called for a plan that, for now, extends the program as is, so the two sides can continue to work toward a resolution. The president has threatened to veto the Democrats’ proposal.Dingell, the longest-serving member of the House, said Bush is “actively working to undermine support” for the program.“The president has repeated described CHIP as a ‘government-run health care program,’ in spite of the fact that coverage under CHIP is overwhelmingly provided through private plans. This public-private partnership has worked for 10 years and congressional leaders intend to ensure it continues.”In Michigan, the S-CHIP program called MIchild provides coverage to children whose families make too much to receive Medicaid but whose incomes are less than twice the federal poverty level. For a family of three, the income level is $34,340 to qualify for S-CHIP. As of this past January, there were 31,588 Michigan children in S-CHIP.The White House and some congressional Republicans have complained about state waivers which allow some S-CHIP funding to go to adults and children whose families have higher incomes, too. Michigan is among those offering basic outpatient coverage for childless adults, though they must have incomes at or below 35% of the poverty level – about $3,600 a year – to qualify.About 62,000 adults in Michigan receive the benefits under the S-CHIP program.