Congress is about to vote on legislation to renew and expand Georgia's PeachCare and similar child health plans nationwide.
The House bill would increase spending on the Children's Health Insurance Program by $50 billion. In Georgia, supporters say, the expansion could provide health care for 210,000 more children who are eligible for PeachCare but are not enrolled. State officials have capped PeachCare's rolls at 295,000 children because of budget concerns.
The Senate bill is less ambitious, but still would increase spending by $35 billion. Higher tobacco taxes would fund the expansions. The House bill also would reduce payments to managed care companies that oversee some states' health plans, including Georgia's PeachCare and Medicare.
Sen. Johnny Isakson says he cannot support the Senate bill. He says expanding PeachCare would be a move towards universal health care.
"I think [universal health care] is problematic," he says. "It has never worked anywhere in the world. I don't know why we'd think it would work here."
Sen. Saxby Chambliss agrees. His spokeswoman adds that Chambliss will not support anything that includes tax increases.
President Bush has threatened to veto the proposals. Without a new law, however, the program will expire on September 30. Isakson predicts the debate will go down to the wire.
The House bill would increase spending on the Children's Health Insurance Program by $50 billion. In Georgia, supporters say, the expansion could provide health care for 210,000 more children who are eligible for PeachCare but are not enrolled. State officials have capped PeachCare's rolls at 295,000 children because of budget concerns.
The Senate bill is less ambitious, but still would increase spending by $35 billion. Higher tobacco taxes would fund the expansions. The House bill also would reduce payments to managed care companies that oversee some states' health plans, including Georgia's PeachCare and Medicare.
Sen. Johnny Isakson says he cannot support the Senate bill. He says expanding PeachCare would be a move towards universal health care.
"I think [universal health care] is problematic," he says. "It has never worked anywhere in the world. I don't know why we'd think it would work here."
Sen. Saxby Chambliss agrees. His spokeswoman adds that Chambliss will not support anything that includes tax increases.
President Bush has threatened to veto the proposals. Without a new law, however, the program will expire on September 30. Isakson predicts the debate will go down to the wire.
