Number Of Uninsured Children Soars (Washington State)

[hatrack]

"The number of uninsured children in Washington state has reached its highest level in more than 10 years, with 45,000 children dropping off state-funded health insurance programs in the last 16 months, according to a report released yesterday.

Children's advocates, pediatricians and the Washington State PTA criticized state policies and funding decisions they consider responsible for a 5 percent drop in Medicaid enrollments -- from 583,775 children in September 2002 to 554,872 enrollees in December 2003, the period covered by the report.

But some policy-makers, citing a need to control rising health care costs in Washington and balance the state budget, defended the policies, saying the rise in uninsured children reflects the success of welfare-to-work programs and does not necessarily mean children are being deprived of health care.

The report, "Wrong Target: Policies That Hurt Our Kids and Cost Us All More," was issued by the Working for Health Coalition, a statewide group that includes the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Washington State Medical Association, nurses, teachers, public and private health organizations and labor unions. Its findings, many say, are likely to sharpen the public debate about state health care policies for the poor."

EDIT

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/170832_uninsured27.html

[saigon68]

1. This is Bullshit reasoning

But some policy-makers, citing a need to control rising health care costs in Washington and balance the state budget, defended the policies, saying the rise in uninsured children reflects the success of welfare-to-work programs and does not necessarily mean children are being deprived of health care.

No McJob has any affordable insurance

[ninkasi]

2. Of course children are being deprived of health care.

Another way the neocons, with their tax cutting mania, causes suffering for the poor and helpless among us. That's why it's just so much hypocrisy for them to call themselves "pro-life".

They are NOT pro-life, they are anti choice, and they are responsible for many, many more children going without health care. This is disgusting. We must be held in contempt by most of the civilized world, for the way we treat our children.

[Liberal Veteran]

3. This is the result of an odious initiative process hijacked by right wing

...thugs have gutted our tax base by imposing one stupid tax cut after another.


And as usual, the people who suffer for it are the poorest.

[young_at_heart]

4. The money is going to Iraq

Our children come last!

[Hellfire Club]

5. Compassionate Conservatives?

One has to wonder about the oft-cited compassionate conservative moniker that this Republican administration throws at the American Public every time it plans to do something that will hurt people.

I'm not a Christian by practice, but it seems that Bush and company have pretty much violated all of the commandments except the one about coveting neighbor's wives, although I could be mistaken about that.

This seems one more nail in the coffin of the compassionate conservative fantasy.

Peace

[Lars39]

6. Welcome to DU, Hellfire Club !!!

Fantasy is right. :toast:

[newyawker99]

7. Hi Hellfire Club!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Hobarticus]

8. Plenty o' health care insurance in the military, though.