Submitted by bkrueger on September 27, 2007 – 4:06pm.
 

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole says the current expansion plans for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (pronounced Ess-CHIP) don’t make good sense.

“First of all, I’m supporting extending the current program for 18 months, because I’m strong supporter of SCHIP and think it’s a good program and don’t want political fights to hurt continued coverage for North Carolina children,” she said.

But, she says, there are flaws in the current bill before the Senate: It would cover adults. It would move children from private insurance to government rolls, she said. It would cost an additional $35 billion over five years. And it relies on a tobacco tax, which she said would hurt growers and industry in North Carolina. (more…)