Walberg urged to back health-care override

Elizabeth Huff
The Enquirer

Some local leaders Thursday called on U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg to vote to overturn a presidential veto.

The veto is meant to stop Congress from doubling the money given to children's health insurance programs, including MIChild, Healthy Kids and the Adult Benefits Waiver in Michigan.

Walberg, R-Tipton, already has voted once against the $35 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), instead siding with President Bush's $5 billion expansion.

Without alteration to the bill, he plans again to vote against the larger expansion on Oct. 18, said Matt Lahr, Walberg's spokesman.

Three local leaders spoke publicly Thursday, calling on Walberg to change his vote to allow SCHIP — which covers children whose parents can't afford private health insurance and don't already qualify for Medicaid — to vote for the $35 billion expansion.

"The truth is that working families cannot afford private insurance," said Democrat Kate Segal, county commission chairwoman.

Marvin Austin, former Democratic county commissioner, said he left politics because he hated to see a community hurt by partisan decisions.

"Smaller government doesn't help a child when he or she needs dental care," he said.

The gathering was organized by Kalamazoo-based Michigan Citizen Action, an affiliate of the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit USAction, which is encouraging four Michigan Republican representatives to vote against Bush's override.

Five voted against the $35 billion expansion, but Michigan Citizen Action is not pressuring on Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, because they feel he is "immovable," a spokeswoman said.

The House and Senate each need a two-thirds majority to overturn the president's veto. While there appear to be enough votes in the Senate, analysts say about 15 more votes are needed in the House.

In Michigan, three programs utilize SCHIP dollars. MIChild and Healthy Kids provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to children who live at less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or less than $35,000 for a family of three.

The Adult Benefits Waiver provides prescription and outpatient coverage for adults who don't qualify for Medicaid and make less than $3,500, utilizing unused SCHIP dollars in Michigan.

Elizabeth Huff can be reached at 966-0684 or ehuff@battlecr.gannett.com.

Originally published October 5, 2007
Copyright (c) Battle Creek Enquirer. All rights reserved.

Return to Newsroom