The Fayetteville Observer
Monday, October 15, 2007
www.fayobserver.com

Children's health

Before the NASCAR flap, Republicans were calling reporters around North Carolina, trying to get them to pin down Larry Kissell on his stand on the State Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act.

Kissell, a Democrat, wants to again battle Hayes for the 8th District seat.

The controversial bill would expand the health-care program designed for children who live below the poverty line.

Hayes and Democratic Reps. Bob Etheridge and Mike McIntyre voted against the bill. They say they are not opposed to the health insurance. Their concern is the effect on the state's tobacco industry.

Etheridge said the bill is bad policy. The health-care coverage would be financed by increasing the federal tax on cigarettes by 61 cents to $1. The economic effect on North Carolina tobacco growers is being measured in millions of lost dollars.

For the record, Kissell said in a statement, "When our jobs are at stake, Hayes stands with Bush over the children of working families. When the children of working families are at stake, Hayes again stands with Bush, only this time blaming the job losses he and President Bush helped create. Enough.

"There are thousands of families in North Carolina who are counting on Washington politicians to exempt children from their political fight and support SCHIP expansion. I hope Congressman Hayes will just this once break with President Bush and exempt our congressional district and children from petty politics."

A spokesman said Kissell would vote to override the veto if he were in Congress.

The House is expected to take up the veto this week.