Steve Kagen: “I would say it is a smokescreen, like many of the attempts of this administration to cloud the issues and kick up some…”

“I would say it is a smokescreen, like many of the attempts of this administration to cloud the issues and kick up some smoke, to confuse the American people. The State of New York asked for a waiver to cover those people under $83,000 of income. They were refused under the SCHIP program; but that refusal became a fact. The fact is that we have never enacted legislation that covers people above $41,000. $63,000. I think $60,000 will be the number now. But, look, this is about kids. Let's put a human face on this before we go any further. This is a young girl. She is 3 years of age. She is Kailee Meronek. She lives in a trailer home with her 3-month-old sister; her mother, Wendy; and her father, Scott, who is a stay-at-home dad. Her mother, Wendy, makes $2.33 an hour working in a restaurant, plus tips. They don't have the money to pay for insurance. They are covered by BadgerCare funded through SCHIP. This is the face of America. We cannot turn our backs on our Nation's children. They are our treasure.”