Mica voted no on insurance bill because of 'flawed' financing plan
U.S. Rep John Mica
Winter Park
Publication Date: 11/03/07
I wanted to respond to recent letters of Oct. 15 and Oct. 30 to The Record regarding my vote on legislation to provide access to health care for children of low-income families.When the U.S. House of Representatives originally passed the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in 1997, I supported that measure. Unfortunately recent attempts to expand coverage for our neediest children became mired in controversy when the new Democratic Majority in the House first proposed paying the cost of the increased SCHIP coverage through cuts in Medicare. When that was wisely rejected they chose to attempt to pay for the increased costs by reliance on new taxes that would require millions of new smokers to finance the expansion. I objected to that flawed method of financing. Additionally, I found several other controversial provisions objectionable. These included weakening current citizenship verification provisions that would provide federally funded health care to illegal aliens, elimination of a state's ability to consider family income and expansion of the program to include those up to 300 percent above the federal poverty level increasing income level eligibility in some states to cover families making well over $100,000. I continue to support a reasonable increase in the SCHIP program, and will vote to increase both funding and eligibility. I care about children and adults who do not have access to quality health care. As a college student I dropped out of school to help my family cover expenses because my family did not have health insurance when my father was hospitalized. That experience has always reminded me of the need to work to ensure that every American has access to quality health care. Working in a bipartisan manner, Congress can do better in helping those who truly need health care assistance. Those who know my record in Congress and in our congressional district know that no one has been a stronger advocate in expanding health care and medical services to our veterans, senior citizens, and rural residents.
John Mica's District 7 congressional district includes St. Johns County. He's a Republican and lives in Winter Park. He has an office in St. Johns County at 3000 North Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 1, St. Augustine, FL 32084-8600. The number is 810-5048; fax 810-5091.
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