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Just one more letter about SCHIP. This insurance program was developed for families who make too much money for their children to qualify for Medicaid and who have no insurance coverage. If we define adult as someone 19 or over, no adult is eligible for SCHIP. Citizen children of illegal aliens are eligible only if they meet all requirements. Illegal aliens are not eligible for SCHIP. SCHIP is currently funded with a combination of federal and state money. For every 20 cents the state spends, the federal government matches it with 80 cents. Money spent for the SCHIP program does not result in a decrease in Medicare coverage for seniors. There are economic benefits to the public as a result of this program. Ask small business owners about the cost of insurance for their employees. You will find that those costs are very high. And when dependents are covered, the price soars. I would rather see the business owners be able to put profits back into their business and our community. Children are going to get sick or have accidents which result in the parents accessing medical care. I would much rather see the medical care paid for by SCHIP, which costs Idaho taxpayers 20 cents on the dollar as opposed to the bill being paid for by our state tax dollars with no match. If you look at the number of people in Idaho using Medicaid services, about 75% of the Medicaid population is children and 25% is disabled or elderly adults. When you look at how Medicaid money is spent, you see a different picture. Seventy five percent of the entire Medicaid budget is spent on people who are disabled or elderly. Only 25% is spent on children. People who need the most care are getting it. Yes, there is a $60,000 income limit for SCHIP benefits. However, this amount is for a household consisting of 8 children and one or two adults. And $60,000 looks like a lot of money. But when you begin subtracting taxes, house payments, utilities, clothing, etc, there is not a lot left for healthcare. And the bottom line is I would rather see my taxes spent on SCHIP than the war. |
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