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Republicans react to governor's proposal to protect children's health insurance

April 5, 2004
By: Josh Hinkle
State Capital Bureau Governor Bob Holden proposed a constitutional amendment today (Monday) for what he says will protect health insurance for thousands of Missouri children. Josh Hinkle tells why some Republican lawmakers feel Holden has other intentions behind the amendment.
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The Democratic governor says the amendment would protect health insurance for more than 80-thousand children in working families unable to afford isurance on their own.

Republican Representative Danie Moore says the governor's move ignores bigger budget issues and may be a way to bolster support for his campaign.

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Contents: "I KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR IS PROBABLY FEELING THE SAME PRESSURE THAT WE'RE ALL FEELING...THAT THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND HE'S WANTING TO HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO RUN ON...AND THIS IS ONE MORE THING HE CAN RUN ON. BUT I BELIEVE WE NEED TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO NEED HELP THE MOST."

Moore also says the governor is reacting to a Republican-backed provision that would require families with higher income to pay a monthly premium for their children's insurance, saving the state nearly six-million dollars.

From the state capital, I'm Josh Hinkle.

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Governor Holden says his latest amendment proposal would protect a health insurance program for thousands of Missouri children. Josh Hinkle tells how one Republican lawmaker is reacting to the governor's move.

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Governor Holden says the amendment would protect more than 80-thousand children whose families can't afford it on their own.

Republican Representative Danie Moore says the governor is ignoring the whole budget by focusing on an issue to bolster his campaign.

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Contents: "THE WHOLE BUDGET PROCESS IS VERY DIFFICULT. AND IT'S TOO EASY TO POINT THE FINGER AND SAY YOU'RE NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS ENTITY OR THIS ENTITY, BUT I BELIEVE WE'RE TRYIGN TO TAKE CARE OF THE ENTIRE STATE BUDGET IN TOUGH TIMES."

The G-O-P proposed monthly premiums for a greater number of families in the program... a measure the Department of Social Services says could cause 20-thousand children to drop out of the program rather than pay more.

Moore says it is unlikely that Holden's amendment will pass the legislature.

From the state capital, I'm Josh Hinkle.

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Republicans say a new constitutional amendment proposed by the governor ignores bigger budget concerns. Josh Hinkle tells why the G-O-P feels saving money may be more important than providing health insurance for Missouri children.

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Governor Holden proposed an amendment that he says will protect health insurance for thousands of Missouri children.

But Republican Representative Larry Crawford says a Republican-backed provision to require monthly premiums for a greater number of families under the insurance program could save the state nearly 6-million dollars.

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Contents: "WE ARE COMMITTED TO ASSESSING THE MONEY WE HAVE FOR HEALTHCARE TO THE FOLKS THAT NEED IT THE MOST."

Crawford says the Republican provision is in compliance with federal regulations and fits best in a time when Missouri has greater budget concerns.

From the state capital, I'm Josh Hinkle.