Senate likely to pass bill on kids' health insurance

The Senate is expected to approve a bill that provides health insurance to about 11 million low-income children. Senate Democrats, after easily defeating Republican attempts to narrow the bill, predicted they had the votes to renew and expand the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program. Presently, the $25 billion program covers 7 million children living near the poverty level who do not qualify for Medicaid. Under the Senate bill and similar legislation passed by the House, an additional 4 million youngsters would be eligible for discounted care.