SCHIP Passes The House

And not a moment too soon. People are hurting all over. From the NY Times:

WASHINGTON — With enthusiastic support from President-elect Barack Obama, the House on Wednesday passed a bill to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program. President Bush twice had vetoed similar legislation.

Mr. Obama will probably be able to sign the bill within days of taking office on Tuesday. The Senate might take action within a week.

The House vote was 289 to 139. Supporters never mustered more than 273 votes for similar legislation in the last two years.

Next steps: The Senate, passage, signing the bills. However, one issue still on the table is the Legal Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act (ICHIA). It's in the House bill, and could be included in the Senate bill, eliminating the current five year waiting period for legally residing immigrant children, or it could come up in committee to reconcile the two bills (more here from Kaiser on the two versions.) School-based clinics might be included in the reimbursement as well (a good thing, since for many poor kids, it is a main source of health care.)

Now, what was that saying? It's on the tip of my tongue... oh, yeah! I remember!

Elections matter.

Update [2009-1-14 18:26:16 by DemFromCT]: Geographic map of the House vote from the NY Times. Marshall (GA) and Bright (AL) were the two D no votes.