, which makes it easier to sue employers for wage-based discrimination . Learn more about the SCHIP program '' The expansion is also a sign of the strength of Washington 's new Democratic majority . Former President George W. Bush vetoed two similar health care bills in 2007 , arguing that the legislation would encourage families to leave the private insurance market for the federally funded , state-run program . Before the bill 's passage , SCHIP covered almost 7 million children whose parents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid -- the federal health insurance program for the poor -- but who ca n't afford private insurance . The new law boosts total SCHIP funding to approximately $ 60 billion . The expanded program will be financed with a 62-cent-per-pack increase in the federal tax on cigarettes . `` This is a day worthy of celebration . There can be no greater cause ... than protecting the well-being of our nation 's children , '' New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone , the legislation 's primary House author , said shortly before the bill 's final passage on a 290-135 vote . Passing the health program 's expansion is ``
WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- President Barack Obama claimed the second major legislative victory of his young administration Wednesday , signing a bill to provide federally funded health care to an estimated 4 million children . President Obama says the SCHIP bill is a downpayment on his `` commitment to cover every single American . '' The final version of the new law , which expands the State Children 's Health Insurance Program -LRB- SCHIP -RRB- by roughly $ 35 billion over the next five years , passed a sharply polarized House of Representatives earlier in the day , with almost every Democrat voting in favor of the expansion and most Republicans opposing it . With the bill , Obama said at a White House ceremony , `` We fulfill one of the highest responsibilities that we have -- to ensure the health and well-being of our nation 's children . '' The president said the bill was a downpayment on his `` commitment to cover every single American . '' The SCHIP expansion is Obama 's second major legislative win in less than a week . The first was Thursday 's approval of the Lilly Ledbetter Pay Equity Act