Compromise sounds like a good idea, but in reality we just end up with a law that nobody likes.

What schip teaches is it is ok for someone else to pay your way through life. Here it's for the children they can't help it. What are you teaching your children though when you say it's ok for someone else to pay your way through life.

And whose responsibility is it to pay for a service you use? The entitlement mentality will bankrupt many an economy.

Ezra Taft Benson said we are on the soul destroying road to socialism by people coveting. Im paraphrasing here. People vote in politicians who promise what is not there's to give by people that elect them in hopes of receiveing what they have not earned and it violates the tenthc commandment thou shalt not covet. WEakens us as a nation and will weaken other nations as well the entitlement mentality.

Oh, please, anonymous. These are children we are talking about, for whom early treatment will pay off in good health and, hopefully, the ability to pay their fair share of taxes and everything else later. We can't put them to work while they're in grade school, let alone when they're sick. And they don't care who pays for the care. I doubt Ezra Taft Benson would have the heart to turn children out based on some quote from 50 years ago that had nothing to do with health care. Shame on you for trying to hide a view Ebenezer Scrooge would be ashamed of behind one of the Ten Commandments.

"What are you teaching your children though when you say it's ok for someone else to pay your way through life."

What are you teaching your children when you say it's ok for helpless children to go without healthcare in order to teach their parents a phoney-baloney, self-righteous lesson about "self-sufficiency"?

If I had lost my job, or was at the edge of my finances because of hardship, and my kid got sick, it wouldn't be a matter of me having an "entitlement mentality." It would be utter desperation. If I'm in that situation, I don't need a lecture on self-sufficiency from some self-righteous republican. I need help.

It's time to provide affordable health insurance for all Americans and our country is capable of doing that. It should not be tied to employment because jobs are precarious. Someone loses their job to circumstances beyond their control and if the person or family member is pregnant, or has a chronic illness they will likely lose their home as well as their job. Some employer groups are self-funded and a high-need person (i.e.Cancer) can be seen as a detriment to the company and be laid off at the first opportunity to keep costs down.

Finding a new way and better way to fund health insurance is not socialism. It is similar to other basic needs in this country like clean water, safe food, roads, utilities, etc. Tying it to employment started during the post war era when employers were looking at ways to recruit. The needs have changed, health insurance industry itself is profit driven and they will refuse admission at their definition. The only safe plan is in a large group assuming the job remains; yet most of America is made up of small business and self-employment. Expanding SCHIP is not the complete answer; but it was something.

The bill that passed was already a compromise. It had 45 Republican Representatives and 18 Republican Senators vote in favor of it. It also had the support of greater than 65% of US citizens in polls and nearly 67% voted for it in Congress.

Those here who argue against the bill show that they clearly don't think like the majority of Americans.

As a society we need to take responsibility in making sure that children, regardless of their birth rights (or lack thereof), have easy and equal access to mental and physical care, education, daycare, and other programs that prepare them for adulthood and help them maintain a healthy life. The politicians that have proposed a $35 billion increase are making an important statement, but it has gone too far. The coverage for children that are currently on SCHIP is being jeopardized. These lawmakers need to negotiate with the President. At this point SCHIP should not be about a political party divide. All parties need to compromise so that the true focus can be restored, which is about providing resources to a vulnerable population of children.

Anonymous, you bring religion in to it when you quote Ezra Taft Benson. How about Jesus. I don't remember him turning away beggars, prostitutes, children and lepers so he could hang out with the wealthy money changers in the temple.

I seem to remember a different Jesus, the one who said blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

Where is the mercy, is it a childs fault that their parents don't have insurance???

As for bankrupting the country, the total $1-2 trillion ($600 billion already spent) cost for our chase of weapons of mass destruction, no regime change, no bringing democracy, no whatever the line is now, in Iraq will bankrupt us much quicker than $7 billion a year to insure another 3.4 million kids.

I think Debbie did a very good post. I can't believe the people that want to put their "scroogness" (as someone said above) on children.
Children need our help and then hopefully they will become more responsible adults than the "fend for yourself" attitude I see so much of on this website.
We are not in the old West people....this is the 21st century! Open your minds and hearts to people.