The Senate approved a bill to expand and reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program in a 66 to 32 vote yesterday. President Obama plans to sign the legislation. The current bill is similar to legislation that had been vetoed by President Bush twice, according to the New York Times.
The House of Representatives passed the bill two weeks ago with a 289 to 139 vote.
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provides health insurance to children from low-income families who cannot afford private healthcare but do not qualify for federal Medicaid. The program currently provides health insurance for more than 7 million children. Passage of the current legislation would expand the program to cover 4 million more children, including coverage for legal immigrants.
