Fight Urged on Insurance Bill

Kaine Bashes Bush's Veto of Expanded Children's Program

RICHMOND, Oct. 4 -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Thursday urged Virginia's congressional delegation to help override President Bush's veto of an expansion of a popular children's health insurance program, saying 83,000 kids in the state could lose coverage if the veto stands.

Kaine (D), who called the veto "unconscionable," said the State Children's Health Insurance Program is vital to families who need help obtaining medical care for their children.

"Without the funding approved by Congress, these children and pregnant women will lose access to the health care they rely upon," Kaine said in a conference call with reporters.

Kaine's remarks were part of a coordinated effort by Democrats nationwide to step up pressure on Republicans in Congress to override Bush's veto. On Wednesday, Maryland Gov. Martin J. O'Malley (D) sent out a statement calling Bush's veto "cynical."

In vetoing the legislation Wednesday, Bush said a $35 billion expansion of the program was too expensive a step toward federalized health care.

Virginia receives $91 million annually to administer SCHIP to 83,000 children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to purchase private insurance. About 850 pregnant women also receive SCHIP benefits, state officials said.

Under the vetoed bill, Virginia would have been able to cover an additional 18,000 children, Kaine said.

"Why health care coverage for poor children and women would cause him to exercise his veto really has me scratching my head," said Kaine, who was joined on the conference call by Democratic leaders of the General Assembly.

Congressional Democrats have proposed an eventual increase in the tobacco tax to fund the expansion.

Even though Virginia is home to Richmond-based Philip Morris USA, Kaine said he would not oppose an increase in the tobacco tax to extend health insurance to more children.

If Congress and the White House don't agree to reauthorize SCHIP, Virginia would have no choice but to drop thousands of families from the program, Kaine said.

Congressional leaders plan to try to override President Bush's veto later this month. The bill passed the Senate with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority. But Democrats need to persuade about 15 House Republicans to support an override.