SCHIP showdown
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| News Archive
| Topics: children, Congress, insurance, politics
Congress and the Bush administration will test wills over the States Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) which the president threatens to veto. Neither bi-partisan endorsements, nor huge public support have moved the president who remains stubbornly opposed to this proven, successful program. The House might vote today on a compromise measure which costs $60 billion over five years ($35 billion more than at present) and is paid for by a hike in cigarette taxes to $1 a pack. At least 16 House Republicans have signed on, but it is unclear whether the House can deliver a veto-proof vote as did the Senate. A New York Times editorial, among others, have called upon Mr. Bush to stop playing politics with children's health.
