House leaders have an agreement on their version of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) reauthorization and expansion, reports BNA (subscription req'd) today. The House Energy and Commerce Committee should approve the package on July 25th, and the House Ways and Means Committee on July 26th. The entire House is expected to vote on the bill by late next week- the Senate is expected to vote on their package this week. There are three major differences between the Senate and emerging House bill:

• It would make available $50 billion over five years, rather than the $35 billion in the Senate committee version.
• It would find savings in the Medicare Advantage program, which the Senate version doesn't do.
• It would raise the cigarette tax by 45 cents, compared to 61 cents in the Senate version

In all respects, the House's bill seems more progressive. Update: Families USA put out a good chart that compares the two bills here.