Obama Signs Kids’ Health Insurance Bill
Resource type: News
Washington Post/AP |
By KEVIN FREKING
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed a bill extending health coverage to 4 million uninsured children. The East Room signing ceremony on Wednesday represented a much-needed win for Obama on health care a day after his administration suffered a major setback with the loss of his nominee to lead his drive for sweeping reform, Tom Daschle.
The bill went to the White House fresh from passage in the Democratic-controlled House, on a vote of 290-135.
The bill calls for spending an additional $32.8 billion on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Lawmakers generated that revenue by raising the federal tobacco tax. Obama said it is a key step toward his promise of universal health care coverage for all.
See also Senate Passes Health Insurance bill for Children and Congress Advances New Law Expanding Children’s Health Insurance Program