After Bush veto, SCHIP strategy shifts to courting override votes

President Bush wants more emphasis on low-income children. He is calling for a five-year, $5 billion funding increase.

By Doug Trapp, AMNews staff. Oct. 15, 2007.

Washington -- Supporters of a $35 billion State Children's Health Insurance Program expansion Congress adopted last month are working to get enough votes to override a presidential veto, but it will be an uphill battle.

Although the Senate passed the bill on Sept. 27 with a veto-proof majority, the House two days earlier fell 24 votes short of that mark. Bush vetoed the bill Oct. 3. The legislation "would move health care in this country in the wrong direction," he said.

Bill advocates, including the American Medical Association, are lobbying intensely. "The AMA strongly urges members of Congress from both political parties to stand on the side of America's parents and children by voting to override the veto," said Association Board of Trustees Chair Edward L. Langston, MD. "The nation's children, parents and physicians are counting on Congress to strengthen this successful program."

As part of the Americans for Children's Health coalition, the AMA is airing local ads to thank House and Senate members who supported the bill and to encourage those who opposed it to change their minds.

Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics on Oct. 1 visited the offices of 51 legislators who voted against the bill, said AAP President-elect Renee Jenkins, MD.

At press time, the overall effort had generated some success. Two House members, one Republican and one Democrat, said early this month they would now support the compromise bill, Dr. Jenkins said. Still, that means an override remains 22 votes away. "It's going to be pretty tough."