Hubler Challenges King To S-CHIP Debate

from KTIV

One of the Democrats challenging Steve King for his U.S. House seat has offered to debate King on the S-CHIP bill.

Wednesday, Rob Hubler delivered a letter to Congressman Steve King's office. In the letter, Hubler challenged King to a debate regarding the State's Children's Health Insurance Program.

King voted against a bill to expand the program, which offers families who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, and make too much to afford private insurance.

Hubler wants to know why King voted the way he did during a public debate. "He obviously has a position on the SCHIP bill and he wants to make that public," said Hubler. "So, we've decided to offer him the opportunity to do that. Where we can sit down and present our facts and our figures and let the people decide."

Hubler says he has not contacted Congressman Steve King, by phone, to set up a time for a debate. Congressman King says he would welcome a debate with Iowa Governor Chet Culver.

For his part, King says he knew exactly what he was getting into when he voted against the S-CHIP bill. He was the only Iowa congressman.

King says he supports the federal health insurance program at 200% of poverty... meaning a family of four making about $45,000 qualifies.

But, the republican says he doesn't believe a family of four making $103,000 a year should get federal health insurance.

At 300% of poverty, which is what king voted against, an Iowa family of four making $77,000 a year would qualify for the Hawk-I program.