Expansion Of SCHIP 'Right Thing To Do,' Op-Ed States

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 15 Nov 2007 - 12:00 PDT

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The expansion of SCHIP is the "right thing to do" because all U.S. children "should have a fair shot at growing up to be an astronaut, a ballet dancer, a firefighter or president" and should not "be forced to give up these dreams because of health problems that could be managed or even prevented with proper care," John Sweeney, president of AFL-CIO, and James Bertolone, president of the Rochester and Vicinity Labor Council, write in a Rochester Democrat and Chronicle opinion piece.

The authors write, "Prevention makes good economic sense," adding, "In today's twisted health care marketplace, it's about the only thing that does." According to the authors, opposition to legislation that would reauthorize and expand SCHIP because of the cost "overlooks a powerful fiscal argument for covering kids" and "does not consider taking care of America's children a priority." The authors conclude, "Either you believe that health care for children is a priority, or you believe that children's health is not as important as other spending needs, such as the administration's multibillion-dollar mess in Iraq" (Sweeney/Bertolone, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 11/13).

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