House widens US child health care

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7830409.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The House of Representatives has voted to expand US government-funded health insurance to cover an additional four million children.

President-elect Barack Obama, who has promised wider access to medical insurance, urged the Senate to act so he could sign the bill into law soon.

The legislation is similar to bills vetoed by President George W Bush.

Tobacco taxes will be increased to pay for the programme, which currently insures some seven million children.

The bill was passed by 289 votes to 139 in the House of Representatives.

The legislation extends coverage provided under the State Children's Health Insurance Programme (SCHIP), which is administered jointly by the federal and state governments, to four million currently uninsured children.

It provides $32.3bn (£22.1bn) over four-and-a-half years to continue health coverage for seven million children who currently rely on the scheme.

"In this moment of crisis, ensuring that every child in America has access to affordable health care is not just good economic policy, but a moral obligation we hold as parents and citizens," Mr Obama said in a statement.

Unemployment

Mr Obama said he hoped the Senate would pass its version of the legislation quickly so that it could be one of the first measures he signed into law after taking office on 20 January.

Outgoing President Bush George Bush vetoed similar legislation

The legislation would raise federal taxes on tobacco taxes, including an increase of 61 cents in the tax on cigarettes to $1 a pack.

Opponents of the bill argue that it would move more than two million children who currently get private insurance through their parents' employers into government-funded care.

"The priority of SCHIP should always be to serve those children most in need of assistance, not subsidise those who already have access to private insurance," said Republican Congressman Darrell Issa.

They also say the additional spending will run up big bills for the future.

"The kids will have to pay through the nose for the things we are doing today," said Republican Congressman Dan Burton. "We don't have the money to do all these things."

"Forty days in Iraq equals over 10 million children in America insured for one year. We certainly can afford to do that," said House Speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi.

Most of the children who qualify for coverage are in families whose income is well under $42,400 - which is twice the federal poverty level for a family of four. Some US states have expanded their programmes to cover families with incomes up to $63,600 or three times the poverty level.

"At a time of rising unemployment, this legislation is more important than ever," said Democratic Congressman Mike McMahon.

People often lose their health insurance when they lose their jobs.