Update on SCHIP expansion - veto

President objects to SCHIP expansion "on philosophical grounds."

In continuing coverage on proposed increases to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), the Washington Post (7/19, A3, Lee) reports that "President Bush yesterday rejected entreaties by his Republican allies that he compromise with Democrats on legislation to renew" SCHIP, saying that expanding the program "would enlarge the role of the federal government at the expense of private insurance." The president said he "objects on philosophical grounds to a bipartisan Senate proposal to boost the SCHIP by $35 billion over five years. Bush has proposed $5 billion in increased funding and has threatened to veto the Senate compromise and a more costly expansion being contemplated in the House." Bush said in an interview with the Washington Post, "My concern is that when you expand eligibility...you're really beginning to open up an avenue for people to switch from private insurance to the government." Recently, the American Medical Association voted in favor of!
strengthening SCHIP