Dean calls for support of SCHIP override

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean called on congressional Republicans Saturday to back an override of a veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Responding to U.S. President George W. Bush's weekly radio address, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee asked Republicans to support his fellow Democrats' opposition to Bush's recent veto of the SCHIP program.

As part of his attempt to gain bipartisan support of the proposed over-ride, Dean cited how congressional Democrats had kept Republican concerns in mind while crafting the SCHIP bill.

"This week, Democrats in Congress re-crafted the legislation to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program and provide health care for 10 million uninsured children," Dean said. "It is time for Republicans to join the Democrats in overriding President Bush's veto and to reauthorize this program."

Dean also took time during his radio address to say all the candidates for the Republican presidential nomination currently oppose funding for the SCHIP plan, but support an additional $196 billion for the war in Iraq.