As Pennsylvanians know from experience, the Children's Health Insurance Program has been a government success story, bringing health care to youngsters whose families can't afford it.

Pennsylvania and other states operate CHIP in partnership with the federal government, which covers 70 percent of the cost. Now the program is up for renewal and a bipartisan plan in the Senate would expand it to cover more kids. Unfortunately, President Bush has put on ideological blinders and can't see the kids who need help. He is already threatening a veto.

CHIP must be renewed by Sept. 30. Last Friday, the Senate Finance Committee reached agreement to add $35 billion to the program over five years (10 years, ago, it was established with $40 billion over 10 years) and it should soon go to the Senate floor.

To help defray the cost, the legislation calls for a 61-cent increase in the federal excise tax on a pack of cigarettes, a discouragement of smoking in the service of an excellent cause.

But here are just the ingredients to give the Bush administration a major case of philosophical dyspepsia. Never mind the kids. For the ideologues, this is about taxes and a greater role for the government in covering the health care needs of Americans.

On Saturday, the White House was threatening a veto. Spokesman Tony Fratto said tax increases "are neither necessary nor advisable" to appropriately fund the program and, moreover, it was "clear" that many people would drop private coverage to go with the government-subsidized program.

What is clear is that this administration wouldn't tax the devil to help a good cause, and certainly not Big Tobacco. As for a greater role for government, Sen. Bob Casey took to the floor to point out that a lot of governors across the country -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- don't think this is a federalization of health care for children.

No, it is just good social policy, and members of Congress should defy the threats.