Possible Expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program

This piece in the NY Times reports the encouraging news that the US Senate Finance Committee has approved a major expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Here is a sample:

Defying a veto threat from President Bush, the Senate Finance Committee approved a major expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program on Thursday, with a majority of Republicans joining all Democrats on the panel in supporting the legislation.

The vote, 17 to 4, sends the measure to the full Senate, which is expected to take it up within two weeks

Mr. Bush has repeatedly denounced the bill as a step toward “government-run health care for every American,” describing it as a “massive expansion of the federal role” in health care, financed by “a huge tax increase.”

....The bill calls for a total of $60 billion in spending over the next five years, which is $35 billion more than it would cost to continue spending at current levels. In the House, Democratic leaders are developing a proposal calling for a total of $75 billion. By contrast, President Bush has proposed a $5 billion increase, for a total of $30 billion.

....To finance expansion of the program, the Senate bill would increase tobacco taxes. The federal excise tax on cigarettes would rise to $1 a pack, from 39 cents.

The bill would also roll back waivers granted by the Bush administration that have allowed some states to cover childless adults with money from the program.

Cheers,
Colin