Bush Administration Seeks to Limit Health Insurance for Children

In a move that will undoubtedly force a showdown with Congress later this year, the Bush Administration has moved to restrict health insurance for children whose families fall within the 250% poverty level ($51,625 for a family of four). In effect, children will lose health insurance because these middle income families will no longer be able to afford the insurance. While Bush Administration officials argue that the restriction is necessary because SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) has expanded beyond its original intent of covering only those children whose families fall within the 200% poverty level or $41,300 for a family of four, I suspect the real reason is Bush’s desire to protect and coddle the private insurance industry fat cats rather than children. This is a deplorable state of affairs that Congress needs to rectify in order to protect our children. No child should be without adequate health insurance under any circumstances.