Posted on 02/01/2009 12:59:50 PM PST by Libloather
Senate Passes SCHIP Bill with Federal Tobacco Tax Increase
January 30, 2009
The U.S. Senate voted 66-32 this week to approve a major expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), funded with a 61-cent-per-pack increase in the federal tobacco tax, Reuters reported Jan. 30.
The $32.8-billion SCHIP bill would expand eligibility for the health-insurance program to an additional 11 million children; about 7.4 million kids are covered by SCHIP now. The measure was passed twice last year, but vetoed both times by President George Bush.
A similar measure has already passed the House of Representatives, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said a final vote could come next week after differences between the two bills are ironed out.
Some critics objected to the bill because it would allow states to enroll moderate-income families and does not include a ban on legal immigrants from getting coverage unless they have been in the U.S. for at least five years.
Not true.
Republicans who crossed the aisle to support the Democratic-written bill were Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Susan Collins (Maine), Bob Corker (Tenn.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), Richard Lugar (Ind.), Mel Martinez (Fla.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Olympia Snowe (Maine) and Arlen Specter (Pa.).
So they will tax poor people to give illegal aliens healthcare.
Socialism is Socialism is Socialism is Socialism is...
Conservatives don’t vote for it.
Just what we needed- more spending. Jeesh!
Doesn’t seem very farsighted- financing a program like SCHIP- where the costs are increasing exponentially- with a tax on a product whose popularity and sales is decreasing.
The usual gang. Keep this list. I guarantee it’ll be repeated concerning odious legislation yet to come.
I was actually thinking about growing my own tobacco,
maybe this is the time.
Exactly.
I hope all those innercity people that voted from the big 0 will love when a pack goes up a buck and a 40 oz is taxed as well.
We reap what we sow.
Do you get taxed when you roll your own?
Many FReepers roll. When my hubby smoked, we did. Very cost efficient and the tobacco can be bought with no additives. Better smelling for me when hubby lit up.
SheLion can tell you about it....
I understand that rolling paper, and tobacco in all forms will be taxed more.. including cigars..
What poor people are they going to tax?
I hear tobacco is a weed that will grow easily in your back yard.
Illegal immigrants are included in the tax, if they smoke.
I’m in FAVOR 61-cent-per-pack increase in the federal tobacco tax. Bigtime. No conservative should support smoking.
I’m not in favor of the spending that comes with this tax increase. Not at all. It’s an expansion of the welfare state.
I’ll bet 0bama will get his smokes at the PX in order to avoid the tax.
Unfortunately, that is not true.
The usual stinking reeking traitors. Lugar also likes a 1 buck a gallon federal tax hike on gasoline.
Illegal aliens and “children” up to the age of 30! ROTFLMAO!!! How do you guys like the New Amerika “hope” and “change” gig so far?
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