Parents and advocates of the new S-CHIP bill in Congress rallied in downtown Jackson Thursday, in hope that Mississippi's congressional delegation will listen.

"We are appalled at the statements of our governor and our senators and members of our congressional representation," said Oleta Fitzgerald of the Children's Defense Fund.

Speaking just below the Jackson office of Sen. Trent Lott, the Children's Defense Fund was joined by parents and grandparents who asked Mississippi's congressmen to vote to override the President's veto.

"Do the right thing for the citizens of this state. The reality is that our children are suffering because they lack health care."

Right now, 60,000 children receive health care coverage through S-CHIP. But that still leaves more that 70,000 who don't receive any coverage.

The mostly Democrat sponsored S-CHIP Reauthorization Act will increase funding by $35 billion through a 61 cent per pack tax on tobacco products.

From Mississippi, only Bennie Thompson voted in favor of the new legislation. The governor, joined by three of four representatives and Senators Lott and Cochran say they believe a compromise should be reached that covers all uninsured Mississippi children.

That plan calls for an $8 billion funding increase per year, and like the original children's health insurance plan, calls for 95 percent of eligible children to be enrolled before allowing adults.

Lott said he believes a compromise can be reached.

"What divides the Congress is the attempt by some to transform S-CHIP into an expensive precursor of universal, government-mandated health care," said Lott in a statement. "Clearly there are grounds for a compromise that protects our children and at the same time keeps faith with the American taxpayers."

Proponents of the reauthorization act say waiting won't help the children who need health care now.

The vote to override President Bush's veto comes next week. The House needs 12 votes to do that. If not, Congress has until the middle of November to work out a compromise.

S-CHIP will run out in mid-November unless the vote to override is accomplished.

There is also a possibility Congress could vote to extend the current
S-CHIP program for 18 months if a compromise cannot be reached.