Sen. Chambliss says his “no” vote on SCHIP bill should not be taken as an indication that he is against funding programs such as PeachCare.

From The Valdosta Daily Times:

Sen. Saxby Chambliss said his recent “no” vote on the SCHIP health care bill should not be taken as an indication that he is against funding programs such as Georgia’s PeachCare.

PeachCare is funded through a federal block grant program along with similar programs in other states. The program is set to expire at the end of September, and Chambliss explained that he voted against the recent bill due to its exorbitant funding increases.

“Fourteen states had applied for a waiver so they could cover uninsured adults, not just children,” he said. “That’s not what the program was designed to do. It is supposed to cover children, not adults.”

The senator elaborated on his reasons for opposing the SCHIP bill, saying the Senate wants to increase spending by $35 billion and not only include adults under the health care initiative, but raise the income level dramatically.

“Georgia taxpayers don’t want to pay for a family of four in New York making $80,000 a year. This was meant to cover those with families who are struggling.”

Chambliss said he is hopeful a compromise bill will be negotiated between the House and Senate committees, adding that he is sure President George Bush will veto the bill if it’s passed in its current form.