The Clarion-Ledger Editorial, 2/28/8
While the Democratic-majority Congress is considering an expanded Children’s Health Insurance Program bill – possibly for after the Nov. 4 election – it was good to have Republican Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour speak up for kids’ health.
Barbour testified Tuesday before the House Health Subcommittee that poor states are suffering under the current federal formula, which has left Mississippi $50 million short this budget year.
CHIP generally is a good deal for the state, in that for every 17 cents Mississippi allocates, the federal government gives 83 cents toward the state-federal program.
About $5 billion has been spent on CHIP annually since it started in 1997 as a 10-year venture. But Bush vetoed it when it first came up for reauthorization last year.
Magnolia Tribune
