WASHINGTON, March 9 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass, pushed for legislation Wednesday to guarantee health insurance for every child in the United States.
Backed by a coalition of liberal special interest and labor groups, Kerry called on Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to hold hearings on his Kids Come First Act, which would expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid to offer health insurance to every American under the age of 21.
Kerry said more than 15,000 supporters of his 2004 presidential bid have signed an online petition backing the plan, for which no costs estimates were available.
Prior to his 2004 presidential run, The Hill newspaper said, Kerry's involvement in healthcare issues was minimal and often often overshadowed by the efforts of Massachusetts's senior Democrat, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy. The new push suggests Kerry is keeping his vow to become a major legislative player in the Senate as he promised after losing the presidency.
