Maryland has joined other states in litigation aimed at expanding health coverage for children through the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Monday that Maryland is joining a coalition of states in legal challenges against new federal rules that state officials say prevent them from expanding coverage. A veto showdown has been brewing between President Bush, who doesn't want to expand the program, and the Democratic majority on Capitol Hill.

Maryland is joining California, Illinois, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Washington in the litigation, which will be filed in federal district court for the Southern District of New York.

The litigation alleges that rules issued in August by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services exceed the statutory authority set forth in Title XXI of the Social Security Act.

Legislation recently passed by Congress would roll back the new rules, but Bush has threatened to veto the measure.