Big Sky Cairn

Everyone loves the kids - especially for their political value. Nothing quite as appealing to a politician as exploitation of children. So it makes perfect (political) sense for Montana to raise the income level for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

It makes a little less sense if you consider the fact that - even at current income caps - this program is only being utilized by a small percentage of eligible families. It would make more sense to put state efforts into “recruiting” already eligible participants - the poorest families - before adding more wealthy families.

Of course, it makes even less sense if you consider that Mr. Count-Your-Chickens-Before-They-Hatch Max Baucus has refused to work across the aisle to get “his” CHIP legislation passed in Congress. It’s been six months since Max declared victory after the Senate sent a bill to the President that everyone knew was going to be vetoed. No votes yet.

But you heard it here first. CHIP will rear it’s ugly head again - right around election time in September or October. Because everyone loves kids and nothing quite as appealing to a politician as exploitation of children.