Senate Finance Committee Votes to Reauthorize SCHIP, Despite Threat of Veto

Today, the Senate Finance Committee overwhelmingly approved the reauthorization of the State Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program (SCHIP), 17-4, despite the threat of a presidential veto. The reauthorization includes a $35 billion expansion over the course of 5 years, which brings the total spending up to $60 billion over 5 years. Higher tobacco taxes will finance the expansion.

According to lawmakers, the SCHIP expansion will allow 6.6 million people to maintain their current coverage, plus provide coverage for an additional 3.2 million children who presently do not have insurance.