During
the fierce debate on partial birth abortion, the pro-abortion side
got whacked. Turns out, a leading defender of partial birth abortions
flat-out lied about the amount of partial birth abortions performed
each year. "Rarely performed, and only to save the life of the mother,"
cried the defenders of this procedure. In truth, the figure given
by the pro-abortion side, had been dramatically understated. This
embarrassed the pro-abortion side who, their opponents claim, must
lie to advance their cause.
May we suggest
a little candor from those urging the government to supply health
care for the "ten million uninsured children"? Actually, some call
it "fifteen million uninsured children."
Sometimes an article
states a range--say, between ten and fifteen million uninsured children.
What's the real figure? Well, according to "Investors Business Daily,"
nearly three million children are already eligible for health care
from Medicaid. But their parents simply haven't enrolled them.
Furthermore, most
children are without insurance for only a period of months, during
which their parents are temporarily out of work. Also, for a relatively
small amount, millions more could be attached to their parents' work-provided
health insurance.
So, the actual
figure for children who have gone at least a year without healthcare
coverage is probably closer to two million. But politicians routinely
multiply this figure by a factor of 5 or 6 or 7, thus elevating the
"problem" to the level of a crisis." And we all know what comes next--government
intervention.
The real question,
seldom asked, is whether children's healthcare insurance means good
health for children. A recent Harvard study shows a slight benefit
provided by children's healthcare insurance. More important, however,
are issues of diet, hygiene, and fitness.
So to solve a
nonexistent "crisis," Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ted Kennedy
(D-Massachusetts) urge something still more bizarre: A 43 cent tax
on cigarettes, the proceeds to help fund healthcare insurance for
kids. So, on the one hand, the government attacks Joe Camel for urging
Americans to smoke. On the other, they want Mom and Dad to puff away
to raise revenues to finance its Kiddiecare scheme.
So let's add Kiddiecare
to other government "programs instead of parents" schemes--Headstart,
WIC (Women's Infant and Children Care), Job Training Partnership Act,
public housing, hot school lunches. Through these programs, the government
makes this statement: "You need not refrain from having a child that
you cannot feed, clothe, or educate. We will do it." More to the point,
taxpayers will do it. Pass the Advil.
Larry Elder