Bush plans to veto another children’s health insurance expansion

WHITE HOUSE -- The ink is ready to flow from President Bush’s veto pen again.

The legislation in question is another version of a bill that would dramatically expand government-provided health insurance for children. The president vetoed an earlier version despite its bipartisan support.

The current bill passed the Senate by a veto-proof margin, but not the House. Even after the bill was approved, negotiations continued on a compromise version.

Bush has been demanding that nearly all poor children eligible for the program be found and enrolled before those in slightly higher-income families are covered. He also has opposed using an increase in the tobacco tax to fund the expansion.

The bill would add an estimated 4 million people to the existing State Children’s Health Insurance Program, adding 35 billion dollars in funding over five years. The program currently provides benefits to roughly 6 million people, mostly children.