Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Tex.) argued that "rather than taking the opportunity to cover the children that cannot obtain coverage through Medicaid or the private marketplace, this bill uses these children as pawns in their cynical attempt to make millions of Americans completely reliant upon the government for their health-care needs."Coming from Pete Sessions, this is rank hypocrisy. In 2006, Pete Sessions sponsored the Family Opportunity Act, which was passed into law, and allows families with a Down's Syndrome child to buy into Medicaid if their household income is up to 300% of federal poverty level.
According to the 2007 Federal Poverty Guideline, poverty level for a family of 4 is $20,650. Three-hundred percent times $20,650 is $61,950. While Mr. Sessions would not personally benefit from the Family Opportunity Act, his own son has Down's Syndrome, so this is a special interest of his. Can he only relate to poor families if they have a child like his? What about other low income families trying to make ends meet? Doesn't he care about them?
Vote information is as follows: HR 976, "An act to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes." Passed 265-159, with 1 voting Present and 8 not voting
