Monday, March 23, 2009

The Kansas House has endorsed Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' proposal to expand a state health insurance program for children.

The House voted 75-48 Monday for an amendment to add Sebelius' plan to a bill containing a proposed state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Sebelius wants to use $1.2 million in federal stimulus funds to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

The Democratic governor's plan would cover an additional 8,000 children living in families earning between 200 percent and 250 percent of the federal poverty level. That's as much as $55,000 for a family of four.

Democrats argue such families whose employers do not subsidize health insurance cannot pay for it.

But some Republicans said the state should target its help to poorer families.