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The Politics of Health Insurance SANTA MONICA (pri) - Democrats and some Republicans want to expand health insurance for children, paid for by increasing the tax on tobacco. President Bush has threatened a veto. Is it a step toward universal healthcare? Would it be "socialized medicine?" What would it mean for comprehensive healthcare reform?

Listen to report.

Join our online discussion about the healthcare system.



Children's Healthcare Coverage Becomes 'Philosophical' Battle

President Bush and the Republican Congress created the Medicare prescription drug benefit in 2003. No new revenue was provided to fund almost $330 billion for five years of increased costs. Now, at a cost of $56 billion in five years, Democrats and some Republicans want to increase health coverage for millions of uninsured children by raising the tax on tobacco. But President Bush says that's a step toward "government-run healthcare." The dispute is coming to a head this week as Congress debates the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which has to be re-authorized before it expires in September. Why has SCHIP become a political football? Would increasing it be a step toward universal healthcare? Do such well-intentioned stop-gaps prevent comprehensive healthcare reform?

Guests:

- Emily Pierce: Congressional Reporter for Roll Call

- John C. Goodman: President of the National Center for Policy Analysis

- Robert Greenstein: Executive Director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

- Patrick Morrisey: principal staff author of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003

- Daniel Callahan: Director of the Hasting Center

Also, on Capitol Hill, Donald Rumsfeld's in the hot seat over the cover-up in the death of Pat Tillman and, on Reporter's Notebook, Saudi Arabia says it might talk to Israel and open an embassy in Iraq.

"To the Point," a fast-paced, news-based program that focuses on the hot-button national issues of the day is produced by KCRW/Santa Monica and distributed nationwide by PRI. Get more info about "To the Point" and find out if this program airs in your area. © Copyright 2012, pri