House passed SCHIP

Congress took at big step in covering uninsured children on Jan 14. The House passed legislation to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), 289-139 . This bill would extend the program by 4½ years and would cover an estimated 4.1 million uninsured children. As you recall, in 2007, Congress passed a similar bill but it was later vetoed by President Bush. One key aspect of this legislation is language to allow states the option to immediately begin covering documented immigrant children and pregnant women (they currently have to wait 5 years before they are eligible). It is estimated that between 400,000 and 600,000 children would become eligible by simply lifting the ban.

I'm not sure what happened in the Senate, but I will let you know when I do!