Just one week after the U.S. House of Representatives voted its support for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), the U.S. Senate has followed suit.
On Thursday the Senate voted 66-32 in support of H.R. 2, which authorizes an additional $32.8 billion over the next four and a half years for the program, according to news reports.
In its current version, SCHIP provides medical insurance to about 10 million children whose families can't afford it on their own but are "too wealthy" to be eligible for Medicaid. States have the choice whether to use the money for dental care.
The legislation is supported by the ADA, Oral Health America, the Academy of General Dentistry, and other leading dental organizations. Currently, the program allows states the option of including dental benefits.
The House already has approved a bill to expand SCHIP. It's comparable to the Senate bill, except it included a provision opposed by physicians and supported by the American Hospital Association, according to the Associated Press.
The House will vote on the Senate bill, then send it on to President Barack Obama. Federal funding for SCHIP is set to expire March 31.
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