Greg Walden: “I agree that the SCHIP program is a good program, as it was created in a bipartisan manner many years ago. Its extension…”

“I agree that the SCHIP program is a good program, as it was created in a bipartisan manner many years ago. Its extension would be a good thing. But what we have before us today on the floor is not, because it robs from senior citizens in my district and elsewhere to provide extraordinary and expanded coverage of health care to people who may already have it, as well as much higher income levels. Eighty to one hundred thousand dollars you could be making, your kids could be eligible for your current health insurance from your employer, and this program, as proposed by the Democrats, would actually take those off, or potentially could take those kids off, as well as take away the Medicare choice that seniors in my district, some 31,798 seniors in my district run the potential of losing the choice they have for Medicare. I was at a town meeting in the eastern part of my district about 2 weeks ago; and a woman said, please, Congressman, don't let them take away my Medicare. And that's what's happening today.”