Steven Kagen

Steve Kagen was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the Eighth Congressional District of Wisconsin from 2007 to 2011.

Record and controversies
SCHIP

In 2007, Congress took up the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health care for about 6 million children and 670,000 adults from families who earn too much money qualify for Medicare but not enough to afford health insurance. Congressional Democrats, supported by many Republicans, used the opportunity to try and dramatically expand the program by tens of billions of dollars in order to cover an additional 4 million children. President Bush initially proposed adding only $5 billion to the program, but $13.4 billion was needed to keep the same number of children enrolled. In 2006 5.4 million children were eligible but not enrolled in SCHIP or Medicaid and 9.4 million children were uninsured. Steve Kagen voted FOR the first House bill, which passed by 225-204 along party lines. It would have added $47 billion to the $25 billion needed for SCHIP for the next five years. It would have added about 5 million people to the program, including children, some legal immigrants, pregnant women and adults aged 18 and 19. The bill was financed by cuts in payments to privately-run Medicare programs (to levels used in the federally-run program) and a 45 cent per pack raise in the price on cigarettes. The House later compromised approved a bill which expanded the plan by $35 billion and would have insured about 3.5 million more children from families (with four members) making up to about $51,000 to $62,000. Most non-pregnant, childless adults were excluded, as were most legal immigrants and all illegal immigrants. The bill passed 265-159, with all but 8 Democrats and 45 Republicans voting in favor. Steve Kagen voted FOR the bill. After President Bush vetoed the bill, Democratic leaders attempted to override the veto but failed. Steve Kagen voted FOR the bill.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Bio
Born in Appleton, WI, Kagen earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Before becoming a doctor, he worked as a Teamster. He now is a practicing physician as well as an assistant clinical professor of Allergy - Immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He has founded four allergy clinics in the state of Wisconsin. He and his wife Gayle have four children. 

2006 election
Kagen defeated Republican John Gard to replace Rep. Mark Green, who ran for governor.

Money in politics
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Committees and Affiliations

 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment


 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research]]
 * Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry]]
 * Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry]]

2008 Campaign Contact Information
Official Kagen for Congress campaign website

Kagen 4 Congress 100 West College Ave. Appleton, WI 54911.

Phone: 1-800-255-9355

[mailto:info@kagen4congress.com info@kagen4congress.com]

Resources

 * Kagen 4 Congress, official campaign site.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * The Xoff Files
 * In Effect

Articles

 * Jerry Skurnik, " Congressional Elections - Good for the Jews (and the Buddhists)," Room Eight, November 8, 2006.