Response of SCHIP from Senator Norm Coleman of MN
Posted By ironmeden on August 17, 2007
I finally received one response back from the dozen or so emails I sent to legislatures about the increase in Tobacco Taxes in the SCHIP bills. My response is from our Senior Senator in Minnesota Norm Coleman. Just a quick background on him. He used to me the mayor of St. Paul. He was voted in as a Democrat, but left that position as a Republican.
He has come no where close to being a Republican. Apparently he has not read the bill where it states that ADULT CHILDREN can take part in this bill and bilk the tax payers of millions of dollars instead of going into a private insurance care.
Here is his response to my email:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding your concerns regarding tobacco tax increases and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
As you may know, the Senate version of the SCHIP Reauthorization bill (H.R. 976) was passed by the Senate with bipartisan support on August 2, 2007. This legislation reauthorizes the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for an additional five years and invests $35 billion to cover 3.3 million children currently not covered by the program. I support this bill because it helps protect Minnesota kids from losing health insurance and helps to address the 86,000 kids in Minnesota currently without coverage.
I am sensitive to your concerns regarding provisions in this bill to increase the tax on tobacco products. This proposal includes a 61 cent increase in tax on a pack of cigarettes and a tax on large cigars that will be 53.3 percent of the manufacturer’s sale price, with a cap of $10 per cigar. However it is important to note that the average tax on 94% of all popular-price cigars sold in the U.S. would only be about 16 cents and about a dollar for premium cigars.
Generally, I do oppose tax increases. However, I think this situation is unique for a couple of reasons. When a person chooses to smoke, their choice has public health implications and can have a significant cost to society – according to a recent study, smoking costs more than a $167 billion a year. Additionally, this tax is one that can be avoided if a person chooses not to smoke.
However, I am concerned about the $90 billion House version of the SCHIP legislation, which has a heftier price tag, cuts programs that many rural residents rely upon, and leads the country towards a major expansion of government health. I disagree with those of my colleagues who seem to want the government to take control of the nation’s healthcare system and make decisions for you regarding your health. You should own and control your own health insurance, not the government. What government should do is take care of the most vulnerable, which we honored by reauthorizing SCHIP. Government can also take steps to organize the private insurance market to make it more affordable and consumer-friendly, and ensure every American has access to a quality, affordable plan. I am currently working on a proposal to achieve these goals.
Please know that I always appreciate hearing from you and I value your advice.
Thank you once again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me on any issue of concern to you and your family.
Again this response from Senator Norm Coleman is why we have to email our senators.
How sad it is I feel freedom slipping away after reading his email.
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Unbelievable!!! Norman Coleman sold us out. What the hell is he thinking? As you are aware, some of those children covered in SCHIPare old enoug to smoke. These Adult Children have to be 25 years or less and come from a family making less than $80,000 a year. This is the first step towards national healthcare and Bush will veto it.
Coleman is used to a national healthcare plan. The state of Minnesota has the worst healthcare coverage in the union. It will not be long before the folks in Minnesota drive to canda for better coverage. They already are driving to North Dakota and wisconsin to get better care. Un-F’n Beliveable!