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DEL.ICIO.USThe PeachCare fix is in: Let’s party like it’s Groundhog Day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hardly anyone disputes the wisdom of the PeachCare solution jointly announced Tuesday by Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, and House Speaker Glenn Richardson.
The only question being asked around the state Capitol was this: Why couldn’t it have been done three weeks ago?
Democrats raised the point publicly. Republicans and lobbyists with bills still in play did so in private.
The delay isn’t playing well with the rank-and-file of either party. It has pushed adjournment to late April — assuming that budget conferees don’t work through Easter weekend. This is a particular hardship for lawmakers who run their own businesses — lawyers, accountants and such.
The problem is a $750 million gap in a federal program aimed at helping states provide health insurance for the children of the working poor. Georgia’s share stands at $131 million.
As early as January, Republicans knew that Congress was unlikely to move quickly, and that Georgia would have to loan itself the money to get past the deficit.
But Perdue told GOP leaders he wanted the recess to get a clearer picture of the funding package offered by Congress. We’ll let you decide if he got it.
Last week, Democrats in the U.S. House announced that the financial patch would be contained in an emergency spending bill that included cash for the war in Iraq. The same bill is saddled with many, many restrictions on President Bush regarding how and when he can send troops.
Even many Democrats say the measure won’t make it through the Senate. Bush is sworn to veto it.
Still, Perdue pointed to the legislation as his reason for optimism. “Congress’ recent action gives me confidence that using these funds as a stop-gap is appropriate to meet the needs of our children,” Perdue said.
The funding mechanism is so insecure that a few hours after the governor explained himself, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson — fearful that the patch for PeachCare will become a casualty of the Iraq war — struck out on his own.
The Democrat from DeKalb County on Tuesday announced that he would offer a stand-alone bill to fund PeachCare and similar insurance programs in other states.
It’s identical to a bill offered in the U.S. Senate by Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, and would scrape excess funding from states whose insurance programs are running a surplus, and hand them to needier states, including Georgia.
Imagine that. An impromptu alliance between two Republican senators and the congressional district once represented by Cynthia McKinney.
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