House Passes Children’s Health Care Package

The House passed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) after short-circuited debate today by a 289-139 vote.

All but two Democrats voted in favor of the SCHIP bill which funds states, which in turn guarantee healthcare for uncovered children under 18. Democrats had passed a version of the bill in the last Congress, but were unable to overcome a veto by President Bush.

40 Republicans broke ranks to support the bill, voting against party leadership, which had argued that the bill was too costly and amounted to government-run healthcare.

The package is estimated to extend coverage to 11 million children, and costs roughly $35 billion.

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Tags 110th United States Congress 111th United States Congress George W. Bush Health Healthcare in the United States Labor Person Career Politics Protestantism Social Issues State Children's Health Insurance Program United States

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