Georgia Republicans and Democrats are feuding over the PeachCare health insurance program for poor children. Last night, Georgia Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss rejected a $35-million-dollar expansion to PeachCare’s federal parent program. The Senators said it’s a step toward a government-run healthcare system funded by a regressive tax increase. The measure would fund the expansion through higher tobacco taxes. Today the Democratic Party of Georgia called the Senators’ votes a “severe blow” to Georgia’s working families and children. 200,000 poor children in Georgia are currently enrolled in PeachCare. The proposed extension would add another 100,000 to the program.
