As expected, the U.S. House of Representatives failed to override President Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP), Reuters reported Oct. 18.

Bush vetoed the bill, which would have been funded by increases in federal tobacco taxes and required parity coverage for addiction and mental illness, after complaining that it was a step toward socialized medicine. This week's 273-156 vote in the House fell short of the two-thirds majority needed for a veto override.

"Democrats will not back down and we will insist on providing health care coverage to these 10 million children," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.). "The president is deluding himself if he doesn't think this veto will hurt millions of children," added Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.).

The bill had bipartisan support, especially in the Senate, where a veto-proof majority had voted for the $35-billion bill. Bush's version of the SCHIP legislation called for a $5-billion expansion of the program.

Bush, who was chided by fellow Republicans for refusing to negotiate on the original SCHIP bill, now says he is willing to discuss a compromise.