Richard Moore has kicked off an Internet petition on health insurance for children.

The state treasurer, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, is running Internet ads — including on Dome — linking to a site denouncing federal limits on expanding a state-run insurance program.

In August, Congressional Democrats unsuccessfully pushed to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program with a hefty tobacco tax increase. Later that month, the Bush administration adopted new standards that make it harder for states to expand the program.

On the Web site, Moore invites voters to tell "George Bush that North Carolina wants more health insurance for its children, not less."

In the coming weeks, I intend to lay out an ambitious agenda that will overhaul North Carolina's health care system. But the Bush administration's actions make such reforms even more difficult.

To sign, voters have to give their name, address and e-mail.

Three Democrats from North Carolina were among just 10 in their party voting in Congress late Wednesday against an expansion of a state-run Children's Health Insurance Program that could affect tens of thousands of uninsured children in the state.

Reps. Heath Shuler of Waynesville, Bob Etheridge of Lillington and Mike McIntyre of Lumberton, the state’s most conservative Democrats, all voted against the bill, Barb Barrett reports.

Shuler opposed the cuts the program would make to Medicare, especially for services in hospitals and long-term care facilities, and a requirement that senior citizens perform their own maintenance on home-oxygen machines.

Etheridge opposed a tobacco tax increase that would come with the program.

More after the jump.

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