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Senate Passes Bill Extending Health Coverage to Low-Income Children |
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Some 4 million more low-income kids are getting closer to receiving health care coverage, after the Senate last night approved (66-32) a four-and-a-half year extension of a state-based program that provides health insurance for low-income children. Some 7 million children are currently enrolled.
It’s not been an easy path for the children’s health care program. Bush twice vetoed similar bills in 2007. But President Barack Obama will sign the legislation. Says Sen. Max Baucus:
When President Obama signs this bill, the real victory will belong not to politicians, but to kids…[it] gets kids in low-income working families the doctor’s visits and medicines they need when they’re sick, and the checkups they need to stay well.
The House passed its version of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) earlier this month, but because the Senate bill contains slight differences, the House must vote again. It is expected to approve the bill next week and send to Obama for his signature.
All Senate Democrats and a handful—nine—of Republicans voted for the bill. But final passage didn’t come until a daylong attempt by Republican leaders to weaken the bill through a series of amendments failed.
States are facing huge budget deficits and many are beginning to slash vital services, including health care. Says Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.):
In these tough economic times, state governments are being hit hard—and state programs for children’s health are starting to run out. Now more than ever, we need to expand our efforts to make sure no child goes to bed at night without health care in the greatest country on earth.
Bush first vetoed the program’s renewal in October 2007, and a congressional override attempt failed. After a second children’s health bill—revised to meet Bush’s objections to the original bill—passed with bipartisan support, Bush vetoed that bill in December 2007. Congress eventually passed a temporary reauthorization that did not expand coverage to more children and expires March 31.
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Happy to see President Obama and V.P. Biden address issues affecting the middle class. My comment is about the Credit Card industry. If the banking instistutions were given so much money why are credit card Co. allowing a person who is one day late on a payment to lose the promotional rate, which is usually low. There should be a grace period. Credit Card Co. especially Chase is upping the interest rate to 16% overall even iif you have a fixed rate. Your choice is to cancel the card or accept the new rate. Cedit card Co need regulating.
With the establishnent of the middle-class taskforce .
Heath care for children should be at the top of their agenda.
Loss of healthcare for a family with children ,can cause an economic crisis for the middle class.