House Approves Measure Increasing SCHIP Funds

Published on:
30 March 2007 at 05:08 a.m. ET

Written by: Unknown Author –

http://www.insidearm.com/news/00010628-house-approves-measure-increasing-schip-f/

Good news for sick kids: The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $2.9 trillion budget resolution for fiscal 2008 that proposes to fund the State Children’s Health Insurance Program up to $50 billion above its baseline over five years.

The vote was 216-210.

Congressional Democrats believe $50 billion will cover the 6 million already enrolled in the program, and cover an additional 6 million children, who are eligible but not enrolled, over a 10-year period.

The Senate approved a similar bill. Their bill contains a provision to cover at least $35 billion of these funds by increasing the tobacco-products user-fee rate.