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New York Times
Editorial
January 8, 2007
Guaranteed health care for children is the new political
apple pie. No one can say he is against it, and it's
a sure applause line for politicians who want to show
concern for reducing the number of uninsured in America.
But special recognition is due California's governor,
Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is reportedly ready to begin
his new term with an actual proposal that his state insure
all children. And by all, he means undocumented immigrants,
too.
The proposal seems a challenge to fellow Republicans,
and even to much of the state's Democratic leadership.
Predictably, anti-immigrant groups said that including
all children would cost billions more than the $400 million
experts estimate. In truth, the idea is economical and,
if anything, quite modest.
Several states, including Illinois, Maine and New Jersey,
already have programs that cover all youngsters, including
undocumented children who might not have access to government-subsidized
care. California has what may be the biggest number of
uninsured young people, more than 750,000. Most were
born in the United States and are citizens.
Children, however, cannot take themselves in for medical
care. That responsibility falls to parents and other
caregivers, and when these adults are undocumented, they
are often reluctant to take advantage of a child's
birthright. California's array of programs to help
the poor obtain health care has heavy enrollment in most
communities, except among Hispanics. The state's
history of discrimination against Latinos leaves many
suspicious of government.
There's no reason to believe that a push, even
from an immigrant governor like Mr. Schwarzenegger, would
alone solve that problem. But the governor's efforts
should infect the national health care debate. Insurance
has become a luxury that eludes 47 million people in
this country. Putting children first is a good start,
because they are usually healthy and cheaper to cover.
That's a reason to do the job the right way, without
exceptions.
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