S-CHIP Approved By House - McHugh Votes Yes

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (HR 976) was extended today by a vote of 265-159 in the House of Representatives. Forty-five Republicans supported the measure.

SCHIP is a state-federal program that provides coverage for 6.6 million children from families that live above the poverty level but have trouble affording private health insurance. The proposed expansion, backed by most governors and many health-advocacy groups, would add 4 million children to the rolls.

The bill drew support from 45 House Republicans, many of them moderates who do not want to be depicted as indifferent to low-income children's health needs when they seek re-election next year. But 151 Republicans sided with Bush, a move that Democrats see as a political blunder.

Eight democrats also opposed the amendment.

Rep. John McHugh was one of the Republicans that crossed the aisle to support the amendment.