Unfortunately, due to a technical difficulty, I can’t bring you the audio, but yesterday I spoke with Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) and Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) about SCHIP and the AMT.

First, let me say they feel pretty good that the President’s veto is going to be sustained.

Second, let me review their objections. A lot of us, or at least me, have paid attention to the issue, without really knowing all the nuances of it. So, here now, from Congressmen Price and Hensarling, a look at the path toward universal healthcare, incremental Democrat style:

The original bill (a Republican effort) ensured children of the working poor. In other words, it offset or defrayed the costs of healthcare on poor families.

The Democrats, unwilling to keep politics out of the lives of children, decided to move toward universal healthcare. Their bill would ensure children of parents whose household incomes go up to about $62,000.00. Keep in mind that the median household income in this country is $42,000.00.

The bill would start covering adults up to the age of 25 in general.

Likewise, the bill would allow the parents of these kids and adults up to 25 to be covered under SCHIP too. Yeah, you read that right — the State CHILDREN’S Health Insurance Plan would cover adults.

In New York State, the cap would be boosted to upwards of $85,000.00.

States could also expand the cap above the 300% of poverty level.

Both Congressman Price, who is a doctor, and Congressman Hensarling are adamant that this is a bad bill and a better alternative could be offered.

Additionally, the Congressmen discussed the Republican Study Committee’s Alternative Minimum Tax reform proposal. As Congressman Hensarling said, the AMT, which originally only covered a few hundred Americans, now covers hundreds of thousands because the AMT is not indexed for inflation.

The RSC proposal, which unfortunately is not *the* Republican proposal (yet) would restructure the AMT to make sure it stops affecting middle class Americans. Keep your eye out for the proposal and urge your member of Congress to support the RSC plan.