The Senate Thursday voted to approve a measure to authorize a $32.8 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), with many painting the vote as a victory for Democrats and President Obama. The AP (1/30, Freking) reports on the 66-32 vote, presenting giving President Obama "an early healthcare victory," noting that the measure "authorizes an additional $32.8 billion over the next 4 1/2 years for" the program. However, "some Republican senators complained that Democrats had worked closely with many of them on SCHIP in the past but had ignored them this year when crafting the bill. ... Nine Republicans joined 57 Democrats in voting for the bill. No Democrat voted against it."
The Wall Street Journal (1/30, Meckler) paints the bill's passage as "a warm-up of sorts for the broader debate coming over an overhaul to the health system, where many of the same issues and significantly more federal spending will be on the table."
The New York Times (1/30, A13, Pear) reports that the measure would "provide health insurance to more than four million uninsured children," noting that President Bush "twice vetoed similar legislation. But President Obama is eager to sign the bill as a step toward providing insurance for all children and eventually all Americans."
In a front-page story, the Washington Post (1/30, A1, Connolly) reports that the Senate "overwhelmingly" passed the bill, which Democrats touted as "evidence of the changing Washington landscape." However, the Post adds, Democrats' "political victory may come at a price." The debate may have "raised doubts about whether the two parties can unite to pass broader health reform later this year, several moderate Republicans said."
CongressDaily (1/30, Edney) explains that the bill expands "health coverage for children in families who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance," noting that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said that House should move on the bill next week, and predicted success. However, "many Republicans voiced reservations over a provision to lift a five-year waiting period for legal immigrant children and pregnant women to gain SCHIP coverage. They also were opposed to dropping provisions from previous versions of the legislation that attempt to prevent children from leaving private insurance for SCHIP." The Hill (1/30, Young, Rushing) and Bloomberg News (1/30, Marcus, Stern) also cover the story.
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