Text of President Bush's News Conference (09-20-07)

The Washington Post ^ | 09-20-07

[MNJohnnie]

BUSH: Good morning.

In just 10 days, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, is set to expire. This important program helps children whose families cannot afford private health insurance, but do not qualify for Medicaid, to get coverage they need.

I have strongly supported SCHIP as a governor and I have done so as president. My 2008 budget proposed to increase SCHIP funding by $5 billion over five years. It's a 20 percent increase over current levels of funding.

Unfortunately, instead of working with the administration to enact this funding increase for children's health, Democrats in Congress have decided to pass a bill they know that will be vetoed.

One of their leaders has even said such a veto would be, quote, a political victory.

As if this weren't irresponsible enough, Congress is waiting until the SCHIP program is just about to expire until getting a final bill passed.

In other words, members of Congress are putting health coverage for poor children at risk so they can score political points in Washington.

The legislation would raise taxes on working people and would raise spending between $35 million to $50 million.

Their proposal would result in taking a program meant to help poor children and turning it into one that covers children in households with incomes of up to $83,000 a year.

The proposal would move millions of American children who now have private health insurance into government-run health care. Our goal should be for children who have no health insurance to be able to get private coverage, not for children who already have private health insurance to be able to get government coverage.

What I'm describing here is a philosophical divide that exists in Washington over the best approach for health care.

[MNJohnnie]

Text of President's press conference today.

[lilylangtree]

My faves

1. The prez condemnation of Gen. Petraeus by moveon.org & NY Slimes

2. Q: Mr. President, back to your grade point average on holding the line on taxes.

BUSH: I thought you were going to talk about the actual grade point average.

(LAUGHTER)

I remind people that, like when I’m with, Condi, I say she’s the Ph.D. and I’m the C student and just look at who’s the president and who’s the adviser.

But go ahead.

[Eagles Talon IV]

He did well. He definitely hit it out of the park on the Moveon.org question.

[Paperdoll]

Why don’t these kids qualify for medicaid? And if they don’t because their parents make too much money, why should the government pay for their care? Doctors used to accept food, fish or foul in payment. Bring back those doctors! GET THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF UNPAID HEALTH CARE!