Democrats' version simply goes too far

What most people do not realize about the Senate's Democratic proposal to expand SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program), is that the $35 billion increase over five years proposed is actually a 240-percent increase over the current 2007 cost of $5 billion to an average annual cost of $12 billion. This is a huge increase and is why many of us feel it is a big step toward socializing our medical system.

The administration's proposal for a 20-percent increase, to an average of $6 billion a year, is still very big, but more reasonable. Why does every family earning 300 percent ($60,000) of the federal poverty level need the government to pick up the tab for their child's health care? Some Democrats want to increase this to 400 percent. It currently is at 200 percent, and the administration's proposal would keep it there and help curb matching some states' programs that go as high as 350 percent. Naturally, there are some special hardship situations, but that can be covered without such a massive increase for everyone.

Roland G. Ley

Arlington Heights