20071010 Democrats flog SCHIP

20071010 Democrats flog SCHIP

Democrats flog SCHIP

October 10^th, 2007

A colleague called this to my attention the other day…

… and for additional information please see: 20070921 Five Key Myths About President Bush’s Support for SCHIP Reauthorization

I certainly support Congressman Bartlett’s vote and hope that he remains steadfast. That being said, as I e-mailed a kind reader much earlier in the day, whom I believe disagrees with Congressman Bartlett’s vote; I think that it is a tough vote for many complicated reasons.

In an ideal world, everything possible needs to be done to ensure that children have access to adequate health care. However, what concerns me, above and beyond why a basic health and welfare necessity is so expensive to begin with; is “the Congressional Budget Office predicts it will entice the families of two million children who already have private health insurance (half of targeted new enrollees) to sign up for government-controlled, taxpayer-paid health insurance.”

I have somewhat heretofore avoided this fray, as I have no interest in vilifying anyone who disagrees with Congressman Bartlett’s vote or the presidential veto. And I am unhappy with the further politicalization of the issues of health care as much I abhor, for example, the environment being all wrapped around the axle of partisan politics. I respect the folks who support the current SCHIP legislation in spite of the fact that I disagree with their tactics to change votes.

Rolling out the 12-year child was cringe worthy. Then, well, read it yourself: Don Surber: “3,000 square foot home, but cannot ‘afford’ health insurance?

Remember the Frost family of Baltimore? They had a bad traffic accident 3 years ago. Their medical bills were paid by the taxpayer-subsidized SCHIP. Democrats trotted out Graeme Frost, 12, to call the president mean for not expanding the program beyond what he was willing to expand it.

But all is not what it seems. Based a sympathetic Baltimore Sun story — reporters never question “victims” — a blogger did some snooping around.

[…]

For balance read: Faiz / Think Progress:

Right Wing Launches Baseless Smear Campaign Against 12 Year Old Recipient Of SCHIP — Two weeks ago, the Democratic radio address was delivered by a 12-year old Maryland boy named Graeme Frost. Graeme told his story of being involved in a severe car accident three years ago …

(Has anyone answered the question as to why automobile insurance did not take care of the young man’s medical needs?)

Ultimately, as much as I am profoundly unhappy with the current health care delivery system in our country, my view is that the government taking over is to go from the frying pan to the fire. And I view the current SCHIP legislation is one more step closer to government run health care – which would ultimately and paradoxically threaten the health and well-being of all Americans.

I have lost faith in big government’s ability to do much of anything well and I’ll be darn if I have any interest in some faceless bureaucrat, who holds a job in which they cannot be held accountable – or be fired no matter what their job performance; making life and death decisions for me or my family – or our community’s children.

It is classic “Fenno’s Paradox.” I know extraordinary individuals who work for government and do a great job but I learned to abhor big government. I know great folks in the insurance business but hold the industry in contempt. I know great doctors and health care professionals but have total disdain for the health care delivery system…

Congressman Bartlett cast the correct vote…

Before your itchy fingers reach for the keyboard to hurl insensitive remarks, if you disagree, I’m fine with that. Please provide me, and the readers, with compelling and persuasive arguments other than “Bush Derangement Syndrome” or that “Republicans Suck.” Besides, as a former conservative elected official, you can’t top the “Baltimore Sun treatment.”

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Anyway, as I was saying… A colleague called this to my attention the other day…

Democrats Flog SCHIP yet leaves 19-23 Million Americans At Risk for AMT Tax on Rich

Shhh! Pay no attention and don't worry if you're one of the 19 - 23 million middle-income American families with earnings @$75,000 who may be penalized and forced to pay the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) on the "rich" unless Congress acts before the Senate plans to adjourn on November 16.

Details are in the CNN coverage here: http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/24/pf/taxes/amt_ticktock/index.htm (See at the bottom of the post…)

Congressional Democrat leaders, unions, MoveOn.org, and the AARP are among those hard at work to get your attention with lobbying campaigns to override the President's veto of a proposal to more than double spending on the SCHIP program.

The plan proposes increasing taxes on smokers but the Congressional Budget Office predicts it will entice the families of two million children who already have private health insurance (half of targeted new enrollees) to sign up for government-controlled, taxpayer-paid health insurance.

The proposed expansion doesn't include any changes in the eligibility guidelines. Under the Block Grant program design of SCHIP, states have flexibility to disperse the funds. In some states, such as New Jersey, Michigan, Wisconsin, one-third to 40 percent of current SCHIP enrollees are adults. Maybe that explains why AARP supports the Democrat-proposed expansion.

Under the proposed Democratic expansion of SCHIP two million children who already have health insurance in families making up to $83,000 might be penalized by the AMT. Democrats have not approved, but propose paying for most of the expansion with a tax increase on cigarettes that would require adding and sustaining 20 million new smokers.

Bartlett gets heat for stance on health insurance bill

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=65912

Democrats and health care advocates are targeting U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett as a potential swing vote to override President Bush's W ednesday morning veto of a children's health insurance bill. Bartlett, a Republican who represents Frederick County and a large swath of other counties across Maryland, voted for the State Children's Health Insurance Program when it was enacted in 1997. Last week, he voted against a reauthorization bill that would have expanded the program.

The political battle is focused on Bartlett because leaders believe if he switches his vote, others might follow suit.

Since Maryland has only one other Republican representative, it's not uncommon for Bartlett to be the only federal Maryland official voting a certain way on any given measure. Despite the calls for a vote switch, Bartlett defiantly reiterated his stance, saying it is consistent with the conservative principles of his district.

If popular program folds, children 'would have nothing'

http:/ /www.times-news.com/local/local_story_277093356.html

Originally created in 1997, the joint federal and state program offers low-cost health insurance to children in low-income families. It has provided coverage to about 6.6 million children while the expanded coverage would bring in another 4 million. In a bipartisan vote, the Senate and the House last week agreed to reauthorize the program and increase spending for it from about $5 billion to $12 billion each year for the next five years.

Saying the increase is too much, Bush vetoed the bill Wednesday.

Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, a Republican representing Maryland's 6th District, was the only Maryland representative to side with the president.

"Only Democratic congressional leaders could demand that a family earning $82,000 a year should qualify for their expanded SCHIP program that Republicans created to help children of the working poor and simultaneously call that same family rich and force them to pay the AMT, Alternative Minimum Tax," Bartlett said via a release. "It just goes to show that what Democrats really want is to have the government control how to spend the money that American taxpayers earn."

In the Senate, Maryland's Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin, both Democrats, feel otherwise. Like Bartlett, Mikulski voted for the original program, but she supports its expansion.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/24/pf/taxes/amt_ticktock/index.htm

AMT: Ticktock, Congress

http://www.cnnmoney.com/

Millions of taxpayers have been left in the dark about just how much they'll owe the IRS this year thanks to indecision in D.C

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Lawmakers have effectively denied roughly 23 million taxpayers the ability to plan adequately for their taxes this year.

That's because they have yet to decide just what they're going to do about the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). If they end up doing nothing, those 23 million folks will get hit with the "wealth" tax -- about 19 million of them for the first time.

The AMT was originally intended for the wealthy few when it was created nearly 40 years ago. But because Congress never indexed for inflation the amount of income exempt from AMT and because it disallows a lot of popular tax breaks, tens of millions of middle-class taxpayers could get hit.

With at most six legislative weeks left on the Congressional schedule this year, it seems highly unlikely that a deal would be sealed on a broad AMT reform package.

Sure lawmakers could push back the Senate's Nov. 16 adjournment date [also the expiration date of the temporary SCHIP continuation approved by Congress and the President] and legislate until it's time to deck the halls.

Broadly speaking, you might be at risk of having to pay AMT if more than one of these situations apply:

* You live in a high-tax state. State and local income taxes are not deductible under AMT as they are under the regular federal income tax code.

* You have kids. Personal exemptions are disallowed under the AMT.

* You take a lot of miscellaneous deductions, including unreimbursed business expenses. They, too, are disallowed under the AMT.

Your household gross income exceeds $100,000.

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