In America, the House of Representatives has voted to expand government-funded health insurance to cover an extra four million children.

President – elect Barack Obama, who promised greater access to medical insurance has called upon the Senate to act so he could sign the bill into law soon.

Tobacco taxes will rise to pay for the scheme, which currently insures some seven million children. The bill was passed by 289 votes and is similar to bills vetoed by President George W Bush.

The legislation extends health cover provided under the State Children’s Health Insurance Programme (SCHIP) which is administered jointly by the state and federal governments, to four million currently uninsured children.

It provides $32.3 bn over four and a half years to continue health insurance for seven million children who currently rely on the scheme. Obama stated: “In this moment of crisis, ensuring that every child in America has access to affordable health care is not just good economic policy, but a moral obligation we hold as parents and citizens.”

Mr Obama also said that he hoped the Senate will be passed soon so that it could be one of the first measures he signes into law.

Critics of the new programme commented that the bill would move more than two million children who currently get private insurance through their parent’s employers into government – funded care.

Republican Congressman Darrell Issa said: “The priority of SCHIP should always be to serve those children most in need of assistance, not subsidise those who already have access to private insurance.”