Posted by
Arnie on Monday, June 04, 2007 7:09:32 AM
It's really a health insurance freebie for kids who fall in a certain family income category, more than 185% and less than 300% of the federal poverty level, which means that a family of four with an income of $60,000 or less would qualify for free immunizations, primary care physician health check ups covered under medicaid. It would increase the number of children eligible to receive Medicaid benefits in the state by closing the gap between those children presently receiving Medicaid benefits and those covered under private insurance held by their parents. Supposedly this would provide coverage for about 146,000 kids now without basic health insurance. It would also provide additional federal funding, $3 in federal matching funds for every dollar the state invests. Now that's a winner for Oklahoma.
“We have a moral responsibility to our youngest, most vulnerable citizens to give them the opportunities provided by adequate and accessible healthcare.” Brad Henry, the governor said about the bill.
Janet Pearson of the Tulsa World had this quote in her column Sunday. From An emergency room physician. "What this (act) does is allow these kids to have care by a primary care physician, who will help them develop healthier habits, such as the importance of not smoking, of eating right, of taking care of their teeth ---- kind of getting those young folks into that think-healthy mode that will carry through for the rest of their lives."
I guess we really are in a society where the parents are absent. Where are they? I wonder where that emergency room doctor got his knowledge of how to brush his teeth? Or when to put on his shoes, or a raincoat? Or look both ways before crossing the street? Or that those veggies are good for you, and don't get up till you eat them. And now parents with a 50 to 60 grand income can be absent even more, as the big daddy is taking care of you. Did your doctor tell you to do that? Your doctor told you to use what? He gave you that?
I'm going with you next time kido.
Can this "government is the answer" thinking stop? Washington will be next to regulate and restrict and pay for what parents ought to be doing.