There are many, from all sides of the health care debate who have applauded the expansion of SCHIP. However, the income levels included in SCHIP and the age levels have created essentially a federal monopoly on this type of coverage.  Private carriers best beware.  This site has argued for reform that could allow for a robust private health insurance market to survive, albeit with major reforms.  However, actions like this, if applied as feared in this article to Medicare, could well doom the long term prospects for any major free market for health insurance to survive, beyond those of major means . . . jomaxx

WSJournal argues SCHIP is Democratic model for later quantum jump in government healthcare
The House passed a major expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which the Senate is also expected to pass.  SCHIP is the Democratic model for a quantum jump in government healthcare down the line, opening to everyone up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or $63,081 for a family of four, thereby having an eligibility ceiling higher than the US median household income.  Every time the program grows, it displaces private insurance.  Should the President introduce a government insurance program modeled after Medicare but open to anyone of any income, then, as with SCHIP, any net increase in insurance coverage will come by having taxpayers gradually supplant the private system. Mr. Obama has been making noises about the necessity of entitlement reform. This is no way to start

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