Bush: Democrats Are Risking Kids' Health

President Bush speaks during a news conference, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, in the press briefing room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) (Ron Edmonds - AP)

WASHINGTON -- President Bush challenged Democrats on Thursday to quickly renew a popular children's health insurance program and accused them of "putting poor children at risk" for political purposes.

The State Children's Health Insurance Program is set to expire Sept. 30. Democrats are pushing for a $35 billion spending increase. But Bush has threatened to veto it and has proposed a $5 billion increase.

Some Democrats, he said, believe they can score political points by sending him a bill they know he will veto.

The president urged lawmakers to send him a simple, temporary extension that would give lawmakers more time to work out their differences over a long-term renewal.

"If they fail to do so, more than a million children could lose health coverage," Bush said at a press conference. "Health coverage for these children should not be held hostage while political ads are being made and new polls are being taken."

The state-federal partnership is designed to provide health coverage to families whose income is too high to qualify for Medicaid, but not high enough to afford private coverage. More than 6 million people, primarily children, participate.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said a temporary extension would lead to fewer children participating than what Democrats prefer. She also said governors are seeking a more permanent resolution.

"I don't know what the point is of an extension. So that we can have this conversation again and have another extension?" Pelosi said. "The moment of truth is now."

The proposal that Democratic lawmakers support would bring total spending to about $60 billion over the next five years, twice the level sought by the Bush administration. Several Republican senators voted for that spending level when the Senate approved a bill last month. Negotiators are still working behind the scenes on a final proposal, which is expected to come to a vote in the House next week.

Bush said he opposed a $35 billion increase because it would encourage states to extend health coverage to middle-income families now using private insurance.

"I believe this is a step toward federalization of health care," Bush said.

Democrats said their proposal does not call for a government takeover of health care.