House Passes Health Insurance Bill, Extends Coverage to Four Million Uninsured Children
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February 4, 2009
| By:
Robert
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)The House of Representatives passed legislation that will provide health insurance to more than four million uninsured children, giving President Barack Obama an encouraging first step toward fulfilling his goal of universal health care.
The $32.8 billion bill renews funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and will broaden eligibility for children, pregnant women, and legal immigrants. The additional cost will be covered by a 62-cent increase in the federal tax on cigarettes.
The bill, which was passed by the Senate last week, is expected to be signed into law by President Obama today.
The legislation removes a five-year waiting period for children or legal immigrants and allows states to include families with higher incomes (up to three times the poverty level) to receive benefits.
President George W. Bush twice vetoed similar legislation. Some Republicans, including former presidential nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona, worry that the bill is part of a long-term effort to nationalize health insurance.
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