Congress Again Approves Kids Health Bill

Thursday, November 1st 2007, 3:35 pm

By: News On 6

CAPITOL HILL (AP) -- A defiant Democratic-controlled Congress has voted to provide health insurance to an additional 4 million lower-income children, ignoring President Bush's threat of a second straight veto on the program.

The legislation cleared the Senate on a vote of 64-30.

The measure would add an estimated 4 million beneficiaries to an existing program that provides coverage for children from families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.

At a cost of $35 billion, the bill would be paid for through an increase in tobacco taxes, including a 61-cent rise on a package of cigarettes.