A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Monday, Aug. 6:
Congress
Weighs Children's Health Insurance
This Chicago Tribune article places the ongoing debate about
the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in the larger context
of each party's legislative goals. Whereas democrats want to expand SCHIP
and more broadly expand state-funded health care, republicans want to
maintain SCHIP's current levels and expand subsidies to private health
care providers. (Chicago Tribune, 7/29/07, by Neikirk)
Opinion:
SCHIP Not Slippery Slope
In this New York Times column, Paul Krugman criticizes
the Bush administration and members of Congress for opposing the SCHIP
expansion. Krugman argues that lawmakers who oppose SCHIP necessarily
oppose better health for children. (NY Times, 7/30/07, by Krugman)
Editorial:
Republicans Foolish to Oppose SCHIP
This New York Times editorial supports the proposed SCHIP expansion.
Citing the program's successes, the editorial notes that an expansion
will not lead to "a government takeover" of health care. (NY
Times, 7/30/07)
Latino
Baby Boom Changing Californian Demographics
Latino babies now make up more than 50 percent of the babies
born in California , according to a Mercury News analysis of state birth
records. Latino birthrates have been increasing while birthrates for Caucasian
and African American populations have declined since the early 1990s.
Child advocates say that this change in demographics is evidence that
early childhood development and education for Latino children is increasingly
important in California. (SJ Mercury, 7/29/07, by Swift)
In
Defense of Boys
This Time Magazine cover story examines the notion that boys'
social and emotional development lags behind girls'. While some experts
say that boys are less likely to reach as many academic achievements as
girls, and are more likely to commit suicide or violent acts, others,
including author and father David Von Drehle say boys are faring
just fine. They contend that there is research to support almost every
point of view, and that worrying about boys in the form of more careful
parenting and more attention at school is paying off. (Time, 7/26/07,
by Von Drehle)
SCHIP
Fight Turning into Political Battle
The debate in Washington over the State Children's Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP) already has been called the first round of the upcoming
fight over health care for all Americans. Both Democrats and Republicans
know that a vote against the expansion looks like a vote against children,
and both are fighting to spin the upcoming vote in their own direction.
(NY Times, 8/1/07, by Pear)
States
Expand Child Health Care Eligibility
Nineteen states, including California, have received federal
waivers to expand eligibility for SCHIP beyond the standard threshold
of 200 percent of the poverty level. With this waiver, California is now
permitted to cover children in families who earn up to 250 percent of
the federal poverty level. (AP, 8/1/07)
Some
Parents Fear Summertime 'Brain Drain'
For some parents, summer is embraced as a time for kids to have unstructured
time and play at their leisure. Other parents worry that reduced stimulation
during the summer makes it tough for kids when school starts again in
September. They're trying different remedies for this 'brain drain,' from
summer school to academic activities at home. (MV Voice, 7/30/07, by Tondreau)
Study:
Army Kids at Higher Risk for Neglect and Abuse
A new study from the University of South Carolina found that
incidents of parental mistreatment have increased 42 percent in Army families
since the beginning of military action in Afghanistan and Iraq . Deployments
had the largest effect among mothers, among whom the rate of child neglect
increased four times and the rate of abuse almost doubled. (Reuters, 7/31/07)
House
Passes SCHIP Expansion
Despite wide opposition from Republicans, the House passed
the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) reauthorization
bill, which would expand the program by raising the cigarette tax and
cutting subsidies to private Medicare providers. The bill also would increase
assistance to low-income Medicare recipients and eliminate co-payments
for most Medicare preventive care. (NY Times, 8/2/07, by Pear)
Senate
Votes to Expand SCHIP
The Senate has passed its version of the SCHIP expansion
bill, which adds another $35 million to the program's budget. The bill
would cover fewer children than the House bill, because it doesn't make
any changes to Medicare. Both bills face veto threats from the White House.
(LA Times, 8/3/07, by Alonso-Zaldivar)
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