Bush Extends Childrens Health Program

Bush on Saturday signed legislation that extends a popular children's health insurance program after twice vetoing attempts to expand it health club.

The extension of the State Children's Health Insurance Program is expected to provide states with enough money to cover those enrolled through March 2009. Mr. Bush and some Republican lawmakers say the program will still serve those that it should: children from families who earn too much to qualify for traditional public health benefits but cannot afford private insurance.

The matter came to dominate legislative debate and further sour relations between the Democratic leadership and Mr health club. Bush this year health club. Twice, Mr. Bush vetoed bills that would have expanded the government-provided health insurance for children.

The Democratic-pushed bills would have expanded the program by 35 billion. Mr. Bush said the legislation did not put the neediest children first. He opposed the tax increase and, more broadly, fought against what he saw as a movement toward more government health coverage.