Health Care for Kids

Another entry in health - a day late.

So children get the brush-off. I suppose that makes sense: State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) protects people who won't be able to vote for a few years anyway, so it's not much of a constituency yet. But, seeing as George W. Bush won't be running for re-election, why would he care? What's the point of the veto?

I understand the fear: middle-class parents might forgo buying their own insurance and enroll in SCHIP. But we're not talking about parents here, we're talking about children. Lower-middle-class parents often have to choose between rent, food, transportation, school books & supplies, and health care.

Let's not make choices that punish the innocent for the perceived sins of their parents. Let's not deny health care for children because of choices we fear their parents will make. Instead, let our grace extend to these little ones, ensuring that they can grow up healthy and have a chance at a better life than their parents may have had.

Who knows? Perhaps they will become healthy - and wealthy - enough to care for their then-aging parents, decreasing the burden on us all.


References:

• http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3151
• http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14947772&ft=1&f=3