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DEL.ICIO.USSuddenly, PeachCare gets wrapped up in the Iraq debate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The $131 million hole in Georgia’s insurance program for kids may have just been tied to funding for the war in Iraq. How tightly, we don’t know yet.
You’ll recall that Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, a Republican, last Thursday showed up before a U.S. Senate committee hearing to plead for continuation for the program — and said that the deficiency is on the federal side of the program. It’s a hole big enough to stop the Legislature in its tracks today, so that budget writers can sort out contingencies.
The same shortage exists in 17 other states, with a total cost approaching $1 billion.
We’ve already told you that Democrats who now control Congress are kind of miffed at Republicans, who they think dropped the whole thing into their lap.
On Friday, one day after Perdue’s visit to Washington, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi threw the hot potato to President Bush. They fired off a letter to the White House, alluding to the $100 billion emergency appropriation bill for Iraq that Bush is to send Congress’ way this month.
“As you consider the emergency needs of our nation, we respectfully request that you not forget the millions of low-income Americans who are insured under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program … We ask that you submit a separate spending proposal to cover shortfalls …which have been estimated to be $745 million,” the letter states.
Here’s the knife: “The governor of Georgia has written to us stating that ‘It is vitally important to our most needy citizens that Congress act expeditiously.’
“At the end of the last Congress, we were successful in including a provision to avert a similar crisis, but unfortunately, we are again in need of another short-term solution. While we plan to work in Congress later this year to reauthorize [the insurance program] and address longer-term issues, it is essential that you work with us to again provide a short-term fix. The cost of filling the funding shortfall is minor in comparison to your other emergency requests. [Emphasis ours.]
Things are getting complicated, and fast.
Comments
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By CobbGOPer
February 5, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
It’s good to know that, when faced with a crisis to our poor working families, Nancy Pelosi decides to play politics instead of lead in Congress.
Good stuff, Nancy! I hope the voters in the 17 affected states will remember this next year at the ballots.
By tribalecho
February 5, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
The “knife”? Playing politics, Cobby-poo? Have you read the letter? They specifically ask that he submit a SEPERATE, as in let’s not use this politically, budget request.
I can’t see how reminding Bush that one of his ardent supporters, the Governor of Georgia, says this is an urgent matter, is anything but showing respect for Sonny and trying to get the WH’s attention away from the Libby trial.
By Elizabeth Day
February 6, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Is anyone surprised that Bush rejected the additional funds for Peachcare? I am not. I am surprised he was voted in for a second term. He may be the president of the United States, but he is not my president, and he does not represent me.