The health care bill signed into law by President Barack Obama kept his promise to "expand eligibility for the Medicaid and SCHIP programs and ensure that these programs continue to serve their critical safety net function."

Even before passage, we had already rated the SCHIP portion a Promise Kept. Now, with passage of the health care bill, Medicaid -- the federal-state program that provides health coverage for lower-income Americans -- will see a landmark expansion.

Historically, Medicaid coverage has been focused primarily on pregnant women, children and the disabled. Under the new law, eligibility will be expanded to all individuals under age 65 with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. New beneficiaries will be assured a package that includes essential health benefits.

This new coverage is set to begin in 2014, but we believe the enactment of the law fulfills Obama's promise. If something happens to derail this policy change before 2014, we will adjust the rating, but for now, we're considering it a Promise Kept.