Democrats Foresee Huge Children's Health Care Victory
Posted on: Thursday, 29 January 2009, 09:10 CST
Democrats are coming closer and closer to giving President Barack Obama a huge opening triumph on health care reform.
The Senate was anticipated to vote Thursday on legislation that allows $31.5 billion to be spent on a children's health insurance plan in the upcoming 4 1/2 years. The extra money would let 4 million uninsured children receive coverage and allow another 2.4 million more kids into the program.
"It's a major step forward for our nation," said Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., in expectation for the Senate's action. "Many Americans face grave economic uncertainty, and it's critical that we move quickly to pass this legislation and send it to President Obama for his signature."
Thus far, the deliberations this week has allowed Democrats an opportunity to exercise their extended majority, squashing the GOP efforts to alter the bill.
Democrats wish to fund the growing the State Children's Health Insurance Program by raising the federal excise tax on cigarettes by 61 cents per pack, from the current $1 from 39 cents.
Republicans have counteracted with a different suggestion that they will increase coverage to about 2 million uninsured children. This proposal, presented Wednesday by Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, would increase funding on children's health coverage by $10 billion in 4 1/2 years.
This idea would have reduced costs for specific Medicaid services, predominantly the quantity paid to states for running Medicaid, but the amendment was decisively defeated.
Republicans insist that they are worried about a lack of income limits that decide how the government would pay for the children's health coverage. States have extensive flexibility in determining eligibility criterion. Republicans worry that some states have steered away from the program's original course to cater to the working poor.
The House bill passed the proposed amendment two weeks ago.
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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