Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns is urging changes to a bill that would expand a children's health insurance program.

The State Children's Health Insurance Program is a federal-state partnership that serves families making too much to qualify for Medicaid but struggling to afford private insurance.

Johanns, a Republican, says before SCHIP is expanded to higher income individuals, efforts should be made to sign up children who are currently eligible.

He says more than 60 percent of uninsured children are eligible for SCHIP but aren't enrolled.

Overall, the Senate legislation would increase spending by $31.5 billion over the next 4 1/2 years. The expansion would be paid for by increasing the federal excise tax on tobacco products.