Governor Corzine shown here eagerly anticipating the day when he can get back into a speeding limousine unbelted...
Posted on 10/01/2007 11:45:53 AM PDT by Badabing Badablonde
By Governors Press... - October 1, 2007 - 2:01pm Tags: Governor Jon S. Corzine, Release Date: October 1, 2007 TRENTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine today filed a lawsuit on behalf of the people of the state of New Jersey challenging the letter issued by the Bush Administration limiting eligibility for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The lawsuit accuses the Bush Administration of circumventing the public rule-making process by fundamentally and arbitrarily changing the program via letter, which would have the effect of denying health insurance coverage for over 10,000 New Jersey children.
“SCHIP is an unqualified bipartisan success in New Jersey and in states across the nation, and the Bush Administration’s determination to pursue a course of action that will harm our children’s health is incomprehensible,” Governor Corzine said. “This same Administration previously signed off on our decision to cover the 10,000 kids they are now seeking to kick out of SCHIP, and the lawsuit we filed today demonstrates that we will simply not let that happen. Washington should be a partner to states that are trying to cover more children, not an opponent, and I urge the President to reverse course, withdraw the letter, and sign the bipartisan legislation before him.”
In the August 17 letter, the Bush Administration informed states they would no longer receive reimbursements for children in families over 250 percent of the federal poverty level unless they meet onerous and unattainable conditions. New Jersey has one of the most aggressive enrollment programs in the country and, having secured multiple waivers from the federal government, including one as recently as last year from the Bush Administration, currently covers children in families up to 350 percent of poverty. If the directive were to take effect unchallenged, 10,000 New Jersey children would be impacted.
"We will use every means at our disposal in court and in Congress to overturn President Bush's misguided and dangerous policy,” said Senator Frank Lautenberg. “The President is literally trying to take health insurance away from thousands of children in New Jersey and we can't let that happen."
The Administration’s directive also sought to impose unreasonable and harsh restraints on state programs, including a 1 year “crowd out provision” which would require children to wait an entire year without coverage before becoming eligible for SCHIP. Currently, New Jersey only requires that a child lack health insurance for 3 months.
"In Congress and on the state level, we are standing up to the president's misguided plans to limit health coverage for children who have nowhere else to turn. This is a matter of values -- do we value our children and do our actions match our values? The administration's actions do not,” said Senator Bob Menendez. “As a senator who led 43 of my colleagues in urging the president to reconsider his uncompassionate attempt to cut kids off the program, I support and applaud Governor Corzine for filing suit to block the limits."
Governor Corzine previously informed the Bush Administration of his willingness to challenge the directive in a letter sent earlier this month; the President has since made clear his intention to veto bipartisan legislation which would reverse the directive and allow states the flexibility to further expand SCHIP.
“Because of SCHIP, many families are able to rest a little easier in knowing their children’s healthcare needs are being met through this critical program,” said Congressman Donald Payne. “I stand with Governor Corzine in insisting that New Jersey residents be given the opportunity to keep this important health initiative.”
"All year, the Bush administration has resisted efforts to ensure more children have access to health insurance," Congressman Frank Pallone said. "In order to reach more eligible children, states need the flexibility to run their programs as they see fit. President Bush is seriously undermining that flexibility, and is threatening to veto bipartisan legislation that keeps such flexibility intact, which is why New Jersey has no other choice than to file this lawsuit."
The filing of New Jersey’s lawsuit comes on the same day that seven other states announced they would pursue legal challenges to the Bush Administration’s directive. Those states are Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York and Washington. ###
Too bad his driver wasn’t going 120mph.
Corzine can kiss my worn-out copy of the CFR.....
Whats the income threshold for people in NJ to qualify for coverage and the age limit?
State Children’s Health Insurance Program funded his hospital bills too. Shame on that evil Bush Administration. :)
State Children’s Health Insurance Program funded his hospital bills too. Shame on that evil Bush Administration. :)
So a sitting governor is challenging an impending Presidential veto?
The SCHIP is hitting the fan.
Somehow, I think the wording was different.
The State submitted its eleventh SCHIP state plan amendment on May 30, 2005, to make changes in the eligibility process, including reducing the required period of uninsurance from 6 months to 3 months, guaranteeing 12 months of continuous eligibility in NJ FamilyCare, and increasing the threshold of presumptive eligibility from the current 200 percent of the Federal poverty limit (FPL) to 350 percent of the FPL.
Putz Schumer said that the average family in New York makes only $60K a year and you try telling “Police, Fireman and Teachers” that they ahve to pay $20 in health insurance. he is crazy if he thinks they pay more than 10% of the cost.
Welcome. Typical Demonrat stunt. Use the court when you can’t win legislation.
I know paying for those illegal votes is costly.
Corslime just running his mouth again.... I do not trust this man one itty bitty bit.
And they say that like it's a GOOD thing.
Current Guidelines
2007 HHS Poverty Guidelines
Size of
Family Unit
48 Contiguous
States and D.C.
Alaska
Hawaii
1
$10,210
$12,770 Alaska
$11,750 Hawaii
2
13,690
17,120 Alaska
15,750 Hawaii and etc down the list
3
17,170
21,470
19,750
4
20,650
25,820
23,750
5
24,130
30,170
27,750
6
27,610
34,520
31,750
7
31,090
38,870
35,750
8
34,570
43,220
39,750
For each additional
person, add
3,480
4,350
4,000
SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 15, January 24, 2007, pp. 3147-3148.
http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/poverty_guidelines_federal.htm
one wonders if he is suing the federal government to rescind the constitutional powers of the presidency.
(is he invoking marxist morality here, straight from das kapital and the manifesto?)
yo hey Corzzzz, how’s the girl friend? Good thing she kept quiet about all that $$$$ you gave her before the union negotiations eh?. How much is it up to now...is it over 3 million?
So they have 10,000 kids in families between 250 and 350 percent of poverty level getting assistance, and that's not ENOUGH?
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