SCHIP, a federal "entitlement" which extends "medicaid-like" benefits to any child whose HH income exceeds federal minimum qualification for Medicaid insurance enrollment. SCHIP regulations and rulemaking are administered by HHS.

Mr Obama signed a bill this week to increase the federal financing portion (FYE 2007 expiry) and to extend SCHIP eligibility to a larger HH income bracket. The bill rolled over after a veto by Mr Bush during the 110th Congress.

Federal portion of SCHIP financing will be funded by in increase of federal excise tax per cigarrette pack, from USD 0.61 (iirc) to USD 1.00.

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