Dems tout SCHIP in weekly radio talk

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The head of the March of Dimes Foundation said Saturday the organization supports increased funding for the U.S. children's healthcare program called SCHIP.

Given a national audience as the Democratic Party's choice to respond to the president's weekly radio address, Jennifer Howse said it's a misconception that the bill -- approved by Congress and vetoed by President George W. Bush -- would expand government-run healthcare.

"In fact, 77 percent of current CHIP enrollees are covered by private managed care health plans that contract with states," she said.

Howse said the legislation would provide states with "more opportunities to use CHIP dollars to help purchase private coverage."

Howse said March of Dimes supports the bill because it gives states another option to cover pregnant women who meet the program's guidelines and because it would enhance the quality of healthcare all children receive.

Bush and most Republican members of Congress have opposed it, saying it goes beyond its purpose of helping poor children.