House members clash over SCHIP at healthcare debate in Cincinnati

A congressional debate over healthcare turned biting at times Monday as House Republicans and Democrats faced off in Cincinnati.

Despite an assurance by hometown Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) to the crowd gathered at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital that members checked their rancor inside the Beltway, exchanges became especially pointed on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

{mosads}“We think it is a mistake to divide children from families,” Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) said when explaining why most Republicans opposed a bill seeking to expand SCHIP.

Democratic Rep. Allyson Schwartz (Pa.) immediately fired back that one of the reasons Republicans objected to the SCHIP legislation in the first place was that it covered some adults.

Bush vetoed the bill last October, saying the $35 billion price tag was far too high. Republicans also expressed concern the bill would have been a step in the direction of government-controlled health insurance.

Schwartz and Shadegg were joined by Reps. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), Marion Berry (D-Ark.), Charles Boustany Jr. (R-La.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) and Nathan Deal (R-Ga.).

On the topic of Medicare and Medicaid, Berry excoriated his Republican colleagues for favoring insurance companies over consumers. His remarks triggered a strong rebuke from GOP members.

“Marion, that kind of comment really demeans this debate,” Deal shot back.

The debate became so heated that Congress Daily’s contributing editor and debate moderator Julie Rovner had to cut in at times.

“My turn,” she said.

The first of three scheduled debates took place at George Washington University Feb. 25 and centered on the economy. The Democratic Caucus and the Republican Conference, as well as the Congressional Institute and the Democratic Leadership Council, sponsored the “Congress Debates” series.

Shadegg and his colleagues used the platform to praise presumptive GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain’s (Ariz.) healthcare plan. Shadegg noted how it differed from those of his Democratic opponents, reiterating GOP talking points that under Democratic healthcare plans, choice would be restricted.

Castor expressed doubt that patients with pre-existing conditions or college students who couldn’t afford adequate coverage would be covered by Republican proposals.

“Apparently my colleague didn’t listen,” Shadegg said, and reiterated that their plan would provide coverage for the hypothetical individuals Castor mentioned in her rebuttal.

The third debate in the series has not yet been set.