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Senate Passes Children's Health Insurance Bill

Expansion of health insurance for low-income kids passes over GOP objections

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 30, 2009 6:13 AM CST

(Newser) – The Senate has passed a $32.8 billion bill to dramatically expand children's health insurance, the Washington Post reports. The State Children's Health Insurance Program will now cover 11 million low-income children, up from 7 million. The bill, which will be funded by an extra 61-cent tax on every packet of cigarettes, is expected to be signed into law by President Obama next week.

Former President Bush vetoed similar legislation twice despite its broad bipartisan support. Yesterday's 66-32 vote, split largely along party lines. Republicans were angered by a provision dropping a ban on legal immigrants enrolling in the program until they have lived in the country five years. GOP lawmakers said they felt "betrayed," and warned that the partisan split could spell trouble for health reform discussions ahead.

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi discusses the House passage of legislation launching the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The bill has now passed the Senate and will likely become law next week. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Pediatricians head to a protest for uninsured children at Jackson's Holtz Children's Hospital in Miami, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007. Bush twice vetoed the expansion of children's health insurance. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

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Low-income, uninsured kids all across America have been waiting for Congress to fulfill the promise of the Children's Health Insurance Program
for them. - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.)

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Senate Passes Children's Health Insurance Bill