In rationalizing his decision today to veto legislation that would have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance Program by $35 billion dollars over five years, President Bush said this:
Well, Mr. President, as a mother and a caring human being, I believe that all children in this country should have health insurance - not just the really, really poor children, but all children, regardless of their family income level. If that means that I support ”federalizing” medicine, then I guess I do. And the reason I do, is that I view health care as a basic human right - just like access to water and food. I believe that it is the duty of the government to ensure that its citizens are provided these basic human rights. And I am willing to pay for it with my taxes. In fact, I would be happy to pay for it with my taxes.
You, on the other hand, don’t seem to mind telling 10 million American children that they can’t see the doctor when they get sick. Unfortunately, their parents make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to buy private insurance.
I guess they’re just out of luck, huh? Perhaps they will pick themselves up by their bootstraps and figure something out. Or perhaps not. But not to worry, it’s only millions of children’s health that’s at stake.
