Obama Expected To Sign Children's Health Care Bill Soon After Taking Office

January 14, 2009 6:21 a.m. EST

Washington, DC (AHN) - A children's healthcare bill that President George W. Bush vetoed twice, is expected to land on President-elect Barack Obama's desk shortly after he takes office next week.

The bill would expand the amount of children receiving benefits under the State Children's Health Insurance Program by more than 4 million. The program was enacted during the Clinton administration and is aimed at providing health coverage for children at or near the poverty line, but who don't qualify for Medicaid.

The bill has an estimated $33-billion price tag. Bush vetoed the so-called S-CHIP extension because it relies on increasing taxes on tobacco products.

The Washington Post reports that the bill won't be ready for Obama to sign on inauguration day, but he will likely sign it well before SCHIP is set to expire in March.

Committees for both the House and the Senate are expected to discuss the measure this week.