House passes new version of SCHIP
The U.S. House of Representatives passed (265-142) a new version of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) overhaul. The revised legislation comes one week after House Democrats failed to get the votes to override President Bush's veto of the original bill.

Before the vote last evening, the White House issued a statement that President Bush “will veto this legislation if it is presented to him without significant changes.” Bush said the proposal is still too costly and would be a step toward socialized healthcare.

The new version graduates childless adults, in some states, out of the program quicker and limits the eligibility for families above the poverty level. Also, this version of the program would be funded by a cigarette tax increase, which Bush opposes.
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