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By William Neikirk
Dennis Hastert may have lost his job as speaker of the House in last fall's congressional elections, but he hasn't lost his love for combat.
The Illinois Republican came out swinging against a proposed expansion of a children's health-care program in the House Energy and Commerce Committee today. He called it "reckless" and said Democrats did not appear ready to work with the GOP on the legislation.
We're getting steam-rolled today," he told the panel, headed by another "old bull" of Congress, Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.). And he said the Democrats had underestimated the cost of the expansion, adding that it would cover more adults than children in many states.
"In Illinois, 60 percent of the $500 million (spent for the program) goes toward insuring adults," Hastert said. There isn't adequate funding to cover all the eligible children, he said. By contrast, he said, the GOP plan would cost much less but actually cover more children.
Hastert has been rather quiet as a lawmaker since his party lost control of the House, but if today is any indication, he plans to speak out more often. He's been working on energy legislation for a number of weeks and appears ready to challenge the majority on its energy approach.
The former speaker spoke against the House Democratic plan to increase the SCHIP program (for State children's health insurance plan) under which low-income children now receive health insurance.
The bill would expand the number of children covered from 6 million to 11 million, according to Dingell. It would add $50 billion to a program that now costs $25 billion over five years.
The legislation is designed to reach more children, and it does so primarily by changing eligibility standards so that a family earning 400 percent of the poverty level would have coverage for children. Hastert said that would mean a family earning $82,000 a year would be eligible.
President Bush has made the same point in threatening to veto Democratic plans to expand SCHIP.
In addition, the Democratic bill would also make major changes in Medicare. It would curtail expenditures for the Medicare Advantage program under which seniors now receive health-care from private health-care firms, which receive subsidies to cover them.
Hastert accused Democrats of taking funding and coverage away from seniors to pay for expansion of an SCHIP program that he said would cover more adults than children.
Later, in an interview, the former speaker said Demcorats will probably get their way on health-care legislation and pass a bill that will go to President Bush. The question will be whether
But he lamented some of the changes. "We spent years trying to give people choices in Medicare/," he said, referring to the Medicare Advantage program. "The Democrats don’t want people to have choice."
Democrats disputed the former speaker's criticism, but it's clear that we will hear from Hastert as the year wears on.
Comments
Denny grows a spine.
Amazing!
After all those years of DeLay and Army being the power behind the throne.
Posted by: Doug Zook | July 26, 2007 2:54 PM
"Where is the Credibility"
As we can see nothing has changed by the former Speaker of the House. When it involving the children of the United States, the GOP Stamp of "No Healthcare for You" Is still shining bright. That's right get in the back of the line of modern medicine today. Unless you are a page and have nothing to do Friday night on the Hill.
I don't see him asking former Congressman Foley for his Legal Defense Funds back to make contribution to "No Child Left Behind" or Childrens Health Care Bill. What a Joke. No Shame or remorse yet to come from the GOP.
Denny Hastert needs to put back on his gloves and get a colonoscopy of his own as the cancer ridden pulp is now running out his mouth.
GOP could have sent a better messenger for their Lame Duck Prophet King George. VETO VETO VETO VETO. That is the GOP plan for success. Meanwhile.......
Can a brother get a Dime? Can a child get a flu shot?
Yo Denny can you please go find another occupation. I hear the border patrol is hiring. You had a chance to be a man and the "Speaker of the House" but your lame attempt to consolidate it also failed. We have a new Speaker and it isn't you. Go find Foley and talk about the "No child left behind" by him.
What a Joke.
Posted by: Roger Morris | July 26, 2007 3:49 PM
SCHIP - the incremental version of Universal Health Care. Fidel would be proud.
Posted by: Terry | July 26, 2007 4:37 PM
So, Denny, how does it feel to be the bug instead of the windshield. You and DeLay forced legislation down the throats of democrats, many times unethically, for YEARS. So shut up and take your medicine like a good little boy.
Posted by: Mike Kisler | July 26, 2007 4:39 PM
Why should we spend money on children's health care when we all know that it is much better to be sick, miss school and/or be unable to learn because you don't feel well and can't concentrate, not to mention bringing your illness to school to spred to other children and the teachers. Heaven forbid any of them grow up as intelligent, taxpaying citizens that will help out those less fortunate than they turned out to be.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | July 26, 2007 4:51 PM
"Compassionate conservatism" in action!
Posted by: athena | July 26, 2007 5:54 PM
Hastert should stop his whining. He was nothing but a rubber stamp for George Bush and his illegitimate administration for years. Incapable of independent thinking. Connections to Jack Abramhoff and company.
Maybe Denny should resign from politics and go back to teaching high school wrestling.
Posted by: Doug R. | July 26, 2007 5:55 PM
We're getting steam-rolled today,"
Head Pig should know; he used to drive the steam-roller.
Posted by: C.Morris | July 26, 2007 6:03 PM
Is Denny finally down to his "fighting" weight after losing his battle to Tom Delay for control of the House a few years ago?
Posted by: John E | July 26, 2007 6:28 PM
Health insurance for children is "reckless"? As compared to Dubya's trillion dollar snipe hunt for WMDs in Iraq? I'm no health insurance expert, but I'd guess a trillion dollars would buy an awful lot of band-aids.
Posted by: Tom O | July 26, 2007 6:29 PM
Tom O,
And the vulnerable $600 million 'embassy' in the Green Zone isn't reckless.
And I like the snipe hunt compare;
Go to Chemainis, BC (on Vancouver Island) some day and look at the public bronze of the first 'snipe hunt'. It's hilarious. You can easily picture OSB as the perp. and W as the fool.
Posted by: C.Morris | July 26, 2007 6:44 PM
Tom O,
"...a family earning $82,000 a year would be eligible." This family getting a handout - yes that's wreckless.
SCHIP coverage is also available for adults. I though the "C" stood for children?
Posted by: Terry | July 26, 2007 7:19 PM
Dennis Hastert is a SCUMBAG. I can't believe I voted for him.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | July 27, 2007 12:14 AM
Terry, I'll take health care expenses(even for middle-class adults) over the invasion and occupation of Iraq any time. There is nothing more fiscally reckless than the war your boy George started over phantom WMDs in Iraq.
Posted by: Tom O | July 27, 2007 10:29 AM
Funny, Terry never complains about all the handouts given to Big Corp.
But,geez,trying to provide health care to kids,thats wreckless!
So proud to be a "Conservative".
Posted by: Raving Loon | July 27, 2007 12:10 PM
Crazy Duck,
What'd you think of that "handout" GM wanted to produce its electric car?
Define Corporate Handout?
Unfortuantely SCHIP has gone way beyond providing health care for poor kids.
Tom,
You don't understand the differrential between an expendituire that has a finite time period and one that will gone on for generations.
Posted by: Terry | July 27, 2007 1:10 PM