Children’s Health Care Bill Passes House; Kline, Bachmann Opposed

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday on a vote of 265-159, with one “present” vote and eight congresspeople not voting. 

The bill reauthorizes and expands the SCHIP program above and beyond the increases President Bush had sought.  Experts are saying that Bush’s proposed $5 billion increase will not be enough to continue coverage for those already in the program, let alone expand its coverage — and not all Republicans are happy about Bush’s threatened veto.

Whip counts in the Senate indicate that a veto-proof majority may be possible in the upper chamber, but some work will need to be done in the House to bring enough Republicans (and a few Democrats) onboard to override a presidential veto.

Minnesota Republicans John Kline and Michele Bachmann voted against the bill, and the DFL took the opportunity to slam them both for their votes.  In a press release, DFL chairman Brian Melendez said, “Once again, Representatives Bachmann and Kline have chosen to toe the Republican party line instead of taking care of the urgent, daily needs of working families, even when it comes to such basics as making sure that children have access to affordable health care.”

The conference bill will be taken up in the Senate soon, where it is expected to pass overwhelmingly.