Sunday, June 26, 2011

Schwartz OpEd on SCHIP

The 6/26/2011 Boulder Daily Camera has published Brian Schwartz's latest OpEd on the Colorado SCHIP program (State Children's Health Insurance Program), "The poor keep their money for luxuries".

In response to CO governor Hickenlooper's decision to veto bill asking the SCHIP parents to pay more, he notes "Maintaining current fees would not only be an injustice to taxpayers, but also an insult to eligible parents. The fees imply that parents value enjoying life's amenities more than their own children's health."

Eventually, these programs (can and should) be privatized. But as an interim step, having parents assume more responsibility for their children's medical expenses (even if it means they must forgo various other discretionary expenses) would lessen the burden on taxpayers and would be a step in the right direction.

(Read the full text of "The poor keep their money for luxuries".)