Bush Vetoes Expansion of Children’s Health Insurance Program

President Bush on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP program by $35 billion over the next five years.

Bush has stated he favors expanding the SCHIP program, which currently provides health insurance to about 6 million children, by $5 billion over five years.

The White House argued that the bill would have extended health coverage to children of families that could afford private insurance, and would have led the nation in the direction of federalized health care.

The veto may be overridden in the Senate, where the bill passed by a 67 - 29 margin. An override is not as likely in the House, where the bill passed 265-159, or 15 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed. A congressional override of a presidential veto requires a two-thirds majority vote of both the House and Senate.

Extended Analysis:
Timeline of Bush Push to Cripple SCHIP (Liberal Politics)
Bush Veto of SCHIP Hurts Republicans, Helps Democrats (Liberal Politics>
Battle Over Insuring Children (US Politics)

Also See:
Children's Health Insurance Funding Bill Basics
Bush Slashes Health Care for Uninsured Children (Liberal Politics)