If we are adding ten years of medicare coverage, why not cover people aged 0-10?

[DireStrike]

There is a lot of medical care that this age group needs, but I don't think it rivals the costs of the 55-64 age group. Am I wrong?

Such an extension creates a very obvious arbitrary marker at 10 years old. People will naturally wonder why it can't be extended, And once that push starts, it'd be difficult to stop. I for one would love to see the republicans argue against covering children.

The whole thing would of course have to be subsidized. Employers would slowly start dropping child coverage from their plans as a cost-cutting measure, leading to an increase in people lacking coverage and thus able to opt in. In this way it pits all the business in the country against the insurance industry.

The only problem is ensuring that it is paid for. If we have any kind of reform at all, there are only two places the money can come from - defense, and the rich. Either would be a fine source of funding. More likely there will be debt and Federal Reserve wizardry, but at some point that has to become untenable and these things must actually be paid for.

So tell me, DU, why is this a stupid idea? I'm sure I haven't stumbled upon a good one. :silly:

[L0oniX]

1. DUH ...it's called SCHIP.

[DireStrike]

2. Ok, an expansion of SCHIP to any uncovered children in the age range.

[Hekate]

3. That age group is already covered, I believe, under SCHIP. Those over 50 who lose their jobs are SOL

And of course the Repubs can argue against covering kids: they are heartless.

Hekate

[Hekate]

4. That age group is already covered, I believe, under SCHIP. Those over 50 who lose their jobs are SOL

And of course the Repubs can argue against covering kids: they are heartless.

Hekate

[meow2u3]

5. What about those of us aged 40-49?

We'll really be SOL, unless we happen to be disabled.

[Hekate]

8. We already know what the answer is, I was just answering the original question from the OP.

[fishnfla]

6. Short answer

Because Medicaid and other programs are so much better

[stray cat]

7. The progressive state of Arkansas covers children ( Arkansas Kids) - thanks to Huckebee

[demigoddess]

9. the reason they are willing to cover people over 55 is that very few of them will want

abortions. as long as they make it too expensive to have insurance or pay for their medical bills, it will keep abortions down. Theoretically.