Health Care BS

There seems to be considerable reluctance to discuss the true source of the congressional battle over the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Some, as discussed here, have suggested that the problem involves American callousness toward children. Others claim it’s an ideological battle. Economist’s View falls into the latter category:

It’s too bad that ideological battles have to hold up progress in this area. Children, not ideas, are the biggest losers.

The real issue, however, has nothing to do with ideology. The controversy involves the misallocation of funds meant for poor children. As Grace-Marie Turner points out, much of the program’s money has been diverted to adults.

So, the children are indeed the losers. And they will remain so as long as the debate focuses on straw men like “callousness” or “ideology.”