Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Harrison) is accusing the Bush administration of playing politics with children?s health care.

The state Children's Health Insurance Program insures a family of four if they earn $51,000 a year or less. That is 250 percent above the federal poverty rate of $20,600.

The Bush administration wants to return the Children's Health Insurance Program to low-income families, stating it is not a substitute for private health coverage. In that proposal, it also wants to require a one-year waiting period for the program.

?The president had no right to do this and we're going to fight back with all the power that NY has in this Congress,? Lowey said.

The proposal could affect the 400,040 families in Westchester, Hudson Valley and across the state that currently do not have health insurance. New York and 18 other states are seeking to expand the program to reflect the high cost of living. The expansion would raise the income required to $82,600.

Health care workers say that many uninsured patients pay out of pocket, so many do not invest in preventative care. They say that leads to people only getting care when they are already very sick or in the hospital. Many argue those situations are an expensive way to use the health care system. Related InformationNew York's SCHIP - Child Health PlusRep. Lowey's Web site