GOV. ARNOLD Schwarzenegger may have declared 2007 the year of health-care reform in California, but the major responsibility for reforming our health-care system still lies in Washington.
That's why health-care reform proposals being considered on Capitol Hill are crucial to California's efforts to contain health-care costs, and expand coverage to the 6.5 million uninsured here.
It is a national disgrace that 8 million children lack health-care coverage. Fortunately, a bipartisan consensus among Democrats and Republicans is emerging in support of a significant expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
The consensus, however, doesn't extend to the Republican-in-Chief. President Bush seems far more committed to his costly surge in Iraq than a far less expensive surge in health coverage for children. He is inexplicably threatening to veto congressional proposals to expand S-CHIP between $35 billion and $50 billion. (Bush wants to chip in only $5 billion.)
But as much as health care for children must be a priority, it's only a small part of the health challenges facing the nation. Congress must also take action to contain costs and improve care to everyone, including those at the other end of the life cycle.
In the absence of elusive "comprehensive" reform, the proposed Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act, or CHAMP, makes a great deal of sense.
Much of the legislation emerged from the subcommittee on health on the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Fortney (Pete) Stark, D-Hayward. Arguably the "dean of health-care reform" on Capitol Hill, Stark was sidelined during a dozen years of GOP rule, but is now back in full flight.
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That's why health-care reform proposals being considered on Capitol Hill are crucial to California's efforts to contain health-care costs, and expand coverage to the 6.5 million uninsured here.
It is a national disgrace that 8 million children lack health-care coverage. Fortunately, a bipartisan consensus among Democrats and Republicans is emerging in support of a significant expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
The consensus, however, doesn't extend to the Republican-in-Chief. President Bush seems far more committed to his costly surge in Iraq than a far less expensive surge in health coverage for children. He is inexplicably threatening to veto congressional proposals to expand S-CHIP between $35 billion and $50 billion. (Bush wants to chip in only $5 billion.)
But as much as health care for children must be a priority, it's only a small part of the health challenges facing the nation. Congress must also take action to contain costs and improve care to everyone, including those at the other end of the life cycle.
In the absence of elusive "comprehensive" reform, the proposed Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act, or CHAMP, makes a great deal of sense.
Much of the legislation emerged from the subcommittee on health on the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Fortney (Pete) Stark, D-Hayward. Arguably the "dean of health-care reform" on Capitol Hill, Stark was sidelined during a dozen years of GOP rule, but is now back in full flight.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
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