Democrats unyielding on health plan cost

[rodeodance]

Source: ap




Democrats unyielding on health plan cost

By CHARLES BABINGTON and KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writers 1 hour, 13 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - House Democrats, convinced that President Bush blundered by vetoing an expansion of a children's health care program, plan to approve a very similar bill this week even as the administration offered new concessions Tuesday.
.........

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said Tuesday that the administration is now willing to support, with conditions, covering children in families at up to three times the federal poverty level — $61,950.

Leavitt would not say specifically how much more money the administration would recommend for SCHIP, but he acknowledged that an additional $15 billion increase was "a rational number." The administration's concessions incorporate principles outlined in a letter sent last week to President Bush from 38 House Republicans.

.......

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters Tuesday that the Democrats' new bill would still expand the program from 6 million children now covered to 10 million. As for the proposed $35 billion increase, "you can't do the 10 million without that," he said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071024/ap_on_go_co/children_s_health;_ylt=Avys7By0XTbpMx4zf6CXSaRh24cA

[rodeodance]

1. more Republicans — and possibly Bush — will claim victory and embrace the bill.

.......Some Republicans who stood by Bush now feel the issue is hurting them politically, and they want a way out. They are the targets of Hoyer, Wilson and other negotiators hoping to make enough changes in the legislation to obtain a veto-proof House margin.

Some Democrats described the negotiators' proposed changes as little more than political fig leaves meant to give a dozen or so House Republicans enough cover to switch their votes. Once that happens, many House members feel, substantially more Republicans — and possibly Bush — will claim victory and embrace the bill.

[sutz12]

2. IIRC, $15 bill would barely cover inflation costs of the original program

They should make him veto it again.

:shrug:

[fenriswolf]

3. yeah i mean bush is using

his veto power so congress will give him more money for his war,why not turn the tables, "let the bill go through or no more money for you"

[freebrew]

4. Better yet...

make him sign the bill and DON'T give him any more war funding.

Bait and switch tactics. The Rs have used them enough.
Don't give in to letting them have ANYTHING for their 'war'.

[DesEtoiles]

5. Dems "unyielding"? HAHAHAH. What a funny joke. Tell me another.

Oh, they'll yield. In a heart beat. Punk ass losers.