OK, I’m convinced. The number of poor people is growing. Who says? State governments wondering if they’ll get their SCHIP money with Bush veto on the horizon:
In Washington, much of the debate of the bill surrounds an effort to enroll more children in the program who would not qualify under current guidelines. An oft-cited figure is that the new bill would allow families with incomes up to $80,000 to enroll, but that has been proposed by just one state — New York — and is subject to being overruled federal health officials.
North Carolina is considering its own expansion of children’s health insurance, and SCHIP could play a role.
State legislators set aside $7 million to start a program to be called N.C. Kids Care, which as outlined in this year’s budget would be separate from Health Choice for Children. It would be a health insurance program for children whose families make 200 percent to 300 percent of the federal poverty level — up to $61,950 a year for a family of four.The General Assembly ordered the state Department of Health and Human services to design a program and report back early next year.
Reminds a lot of the debate over air quality. When government keeps raising the bar on air quality, then the air stays bad. If it keeps shifting the definition of poverty, then they’ll be more poor people. That’s good for Edwards, because if there were no poor people, then he wouldn’t have a campaign.
Shifting government standards aren’t just for guys like Edwards. Poor air quality helps keep government bureaucrats employed. You have to wonder if that’s the true goal of the SCHIP program instead of helping children, even those between the ages of 18 and 25.
