So far the American public has indulged Congress and the White House in its political volleys over the embattled SCHIP child healthcare bill, but time has run out for games.

Last week, while many in the GOP were unavailable for votes, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed another version of the measure to reauthorize the program, which the president vetoed earlier.

House Democrats rightly argued that the issue must be kept on the front burner, and the need to do so outweighed the loss of Republican votes. While it's true that this gambit also earns the Democrats political points, that fact doesn't negate the mandate to renew the overwhelmingly popular program ensuring coverage for children who otherwise have no medical safety net.

Now, while the will-he-veto-or-not waiting game drags on with the president, it's good to see that the majority also has been working to break the deadlock.

House leaders on Monday met with Republican legislators to discuss a compromise that could win enough votes to make it veto-proof.

If lawmakers can agree to compromise measures, an amendment can be added to the current version of the bill before the Senate votes.

The revised legislation would still expand SCHIP to cover 10 million children and increase spending on the program to $35 billion over five years, funded with a hike in the federal cigarette tax. The bill now limits coverage to children in families earning below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, among other GOP concerns.

Among the areas for further compromise: Democrats may be willing to yield to GOP calls for less flexibility on income ceilings. Currently, some states exempt child support and other income in determining eligibility.

And while Republicans don't want to be left holding this political hot potato, Democrats must show they can achieve more than a standoff.

Surely some middle ground can be found to tighten the focus on poorer families without making qualifying for the benefit so difficult that more children are left vulnerable.