Obama signs kids' health insurance bill (extends coverage to 4 million uninsured kids)

[WI_DEM]

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama signed a bill Wednesday extending health coverage to 4 million uninsured children, a much-needed win a day after he lost his nominee to lead his drive for sweeping health care reform. "This is good. This is good," a smiling Obama said as he entered the East Room for the packed, ebullient signing ceremony.

The bill went to the White House fresh from passage in the Democratic-controlled House, on a vote of 290-135. Forty Republicans joined in approval.

The bill calls for spending an additional $32.8 billion on the State Children's Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, which now enrolls an estimated 7 million children. Lawmakers generated that revenue by raising the federal tobacco tax.

Obama said adding 4 million children to the program was a key step toward his promise of universal health care coverage for all.

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20090204/49892ee0_3ca6_1552620090204-1067052926

[deminks]

1. Yes!

Stick that one where the sun don't shine, George.

[spanone]

2. yep

[bunnies]

3. That was nice.

I've been finding myself pretty discouraged with Obama recently, but his speech reminded me of some of the reasons I supported him in the first place. I feel much better now. I needed that.

[williesgirl]

4. I agree this is necessary but why do smokers pay it all?