Government
Many Republicans, most Democrats support SCHIP expansion
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 22, 2007
About 42% of Republicans support expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program by $35 billion to $50 billion over five years, while 20% oppose that idea, according to a Harris Interactive online poll of 2,490 adults conducted Aug. 16-20. That compares with 66% of Democrats who favor such a move, and 8% who oppose it.
The poll also found that 35% of Republicans believe SCHIP is a bad idea because they view it as socialized medicine, while 39% disagree with that opinion. By comparison, only 12% of Democrats view the program in that light, while 62% disagree with that assessment. Earlier this month, President Bush vetoed legislation that would expand SCHIP by $35 billion over five years.
He and congressional Republicans criticized the bill as a move toward socialized medicine.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/10/22/gvbf1022.htm.
