On January 14th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation reauthorizing and expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).  SCHIP provides health coverage for low-income children whose family incomes are too high for them to qualify for Medicaid.

The House voted 289-139 to extend SCHIP for four-and-a-half years; the bill, projected to cost $31.5 billion, will expand coverage to more than 11 million children.  In addition, the bill is primarily paid for through a 61-cent increase in the cigarette tax.

The United States Senate is expected to take-up the SCHIP legislation on Thursday, January 15th.