Shouts of “The price is wrong, Bush!” and “Fight for children’s health insurance!” rang out along College Walk yesterday as the Columbia University College Democrats solicited supporters for an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Created in 1997, but set to expire on Sept. 30, SCHIP provides government-subsidized medical insurance to children from low-income families. A bill to reauthorize the program passed the House, was changed in conference in the Senate, and will now go back to the House for a fresh vote.
The College Democrats allowed passers-by to participate in a Plinko-type game in which a “CHIP” would land in one of five slots representing different ways Congress can spend $7 billion, SCHIP’s proposed annual expansion. These “priorities” included “three weeks of Iraq War funding” and “10% of tax cuts that the wealthiest will receive in 2007.”
Participants were then asked to make telephone calls to United States congressmen Peter King and Jim Walsh—both New York Republicans who voted against the original bill—to urge them to vote in favor of the Senate’s reworked version as well as a possible veto override. “By the end of the day, those two [congressmen] will know what Columbia students think—we are all constituents,” said Jonathan Backer, CC ’10 and the club’s media director. “To change one or two minds is huge.”
Sarah Song, Law ’09, called King, asking him to vote in favor of the new bill. “It’s part of our civic duty,” she said. “Children deserve a right to be heard, and we’re helping give a voice to that right now.”
The newly formatted bill calls for an $35 billion expansion over five years, bringing SCHIP’s total budget to $60 billion, according to the Washington Post. President Bush has threatened to veto any bill with an expansion of SCHIP greater than $5 billion over five years.
“This is not a partisan issue—this is children’s healthcare,” said Josh Lipsky, CC ’08 and president of the Dems. “Republicans pride themselves on having moral values, but these are family values.”
Chris Kulawik, CC ’08 and president of the Columbia University College Republicans, said he did not have enough information to comment on today’s event. Other College Republicans officials could not be reached for comment.
“This is what College Democrats is all about—focusing on direct activism, things that will directly affect people’s lives,” said Lipsky.
Daniel Amzallag can be reached at news@columbiaspectator.com.
