Lawmakers in Washington are working to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) before it expires on September 30, 2007...

July 18, 2007 - Lawmakers in Washington are working to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) before it expires on September 30, 2007 see related Newsbrief - July 9, 2007. The health coverage plan currently covers 6.6 million children and some lawmakers want to reach 3 million more low-income, uninsured children over the next five years. President Bush has reiterated his threat to veto Senate legislation that would substantially increase funds for children's health insurance by levying a 61-cent-a-pack increase in the federal excise tax on cigarettes The renewal of SCHIP, is considered by many to be the most important health legislation that Congress will take up this year. Bush threatens to veto health bill