6.6 Million American Kids Assured Of Insurance Coverage Until March 2009; Bush Extends Health Program

Crawford, TX (AHN) - President George Bush on Saturday signed the bill extending the popular children's health insurance program after twice rejecting attempts to expand it.

The extension of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) will benefit 6.6 million enrolled children and will give states with enough funds to cover their needs until March 2009.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said the Bush administration is "pleased" that the program will be extended and that funding has been assured.

Democrats fought, but failed, to expand the coverage of the SCHIP. They pushed for bills that would have increased funding by $35 billion and coverage by four million through an increase in the tobacco tax.

Bush opposed the tax increase and fought against moves toward more government health coverage.

Democrats ended up raising the white flag and Bush successfully kept the program largely in its current form.

The issue dominated legislative debate and adversely affected the already sour relationship between the Democratic leadership and the White House.

However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Saturday that Democrats will continue to fight for at least 10 million children to get health-care coverage.