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Bush May Compromise On Children's Health Program

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By KEVIN FREKING, The Associated Press

Published: October 7, 2007

WASHINGTON - President Bush signaled a willingness Saturday to spend more than what he had recommended for a popular children's health program, but he provided no specifics on how much higher he would go.

The president on Wednesday vetoed legislation that would increase spending for the State Children's Health Insurance Program by $35 billion over five years. Bush has called for a $5 billion increase. Several Republicans in both chambers have sided with Democratic lawmakers on the issue.

'If putting poor children first takes a little more than the 20 percent increase I have proposed in my budget for SCHIP, I am willing to work with leaders in Congress to find the additional money,' Bush said during his weekly radio address.
Democratic lawmakers say votes to override the president's veto will be held in mid-October. That effort is not expected to succeed.

The program provides health insurance to children in families with incomes too great for Medicaid eligibility but not enough to afford private insurance.

Bush used his radio address to once again make the case that he believes the spending increase sought primarily by Democrats is a step 'toward their goal of government-run health care for every American.'

'Government-run health care would deprive Americans of the choice and competition that comes from the private market,' he said. 'It would cause huge increases in government spending.'

While the government heavily subsidizes health coverage offered through the program, most SCHIP beneficiaries get coverage through private insurers who contract with states. That was stressed by Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., majority leader in the House, who provided the Democratic radio address Saturday.

'The truth is, America's largest private insurance lobbying group supports this bill - as do America's doctors, nurses, children's advocates and, most importantly, 72 percent of Americans,' Hoyer said.

The president also said the bill moving through Congress needs to move adults off the program. But his administration has approved waivers that allowed some states to cover adults.

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