Obama Signs Kids' Health Insurance Bill

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By KEVIN FREKING

Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, February 4, 2009; 5:15 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has signed a bill extending health coverage to 4 million uninsured children.

The East Room signing ceremony on Wednesday represented a much-needed win for Obama on health care a day after his administration suffered a major setback with the loss of his nominee to lead his drive for sweeping reform, Tom Daschle.

The bill went to the White House fresh from passage in the Democratic-controlled House, on a vote of 290-135.

The bill calls for spending an additional $32.8 billion on the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Lawmakers generated that revenue by raising the federal tobacco tax. Obama said it is a key step toward his promise of universal health care coverage for all.

AP-ES-02-04-09 1711EST