The senate is expected to vote on October 31st on the proposal for the new State Children's Health Insurance Plan. The new plan will cost more over the next five years than the proposal that Bush vetoed about three weeks ago. President Bush stated that the newly proposed bill also fails to put the poorest children first.

The new bill will place a cap on coverage to 300% ($61,950 in yearly earnings) of the poverty level. It would also prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining free health insurance coverage which would enable the program to better cover the children who need it.

Health insurance coverage for America's children is necessary but the republican and democratic parties must find some common ground to meet on and pass a bill that can support the people who need it. President Bush claims that the Democratic Party is wasting valuable time by proposing plans that will not pass. I guess we're going to have to wait until the 31st to see how this pans out.