Schwartz tones down role in Pa. CHIP law
By Thomas Fitzgerald, The Philadelphia Inquirer | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
She has claimed to have "spearheaded" and "led the effort" to enact the program as a state senator. After joining
Now that she is running for governor, however, the Democrat has toned down her role in that 1992 bill, giving credit to others sometimes absent in past versions.
In November, Schwartz's campaign website stated she had "established the groundbreaking . . . program." Now it says she "worked with former Governor
The program stars in Schwartz's first TV ad of the governor's race, which began airing Monday. She says she pushed the CHIP bill through when it was bogged down in the
"It's the kind of big ideas, it's the kind of experience, it's the kind of leadership I'll bring as your next governor," Schwartz says in the commercial.
When asked about the changing description of her role in the program,
"Working with others, she did establish the program," he said. "She's often said she worked with others to get legislation passed."
By all accounts, Kukovich originated the idea in the late 1980s to provide health insurance coverage for the children of adults who made too much money to qualify for
Kukovich said Monday that the legislation languished for several years, until 1991, when State Rep.
After the death of U.S. Sen.
His CHIP bill passed the state House, and Schwartz took up the cause as sponsor in the state
Finally, Sen.
"There were a lot of people who played a role," Kukovich said.
Kukovich said he did not think Schwartz was out of line for taking credit.
"That's natural with everybody in politics," Kukovich said. "People who never even voted for it later put it in their newsletters to constituents and took credit for it."
He said, "I've always understood I could get more accomplished legislatively if I subjugated my ego and didn't care who got the credit."
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