States Expand SCHIP Coverage Despite Budget Problems

Jul 22nd, 2009

Despite budget challenges caused by the recession, at least 13 states have invested millions of dollars this year to cover 250,000 more children under their states’ child health insurance programs, according to a July 18 story in the New York Times.

Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia have all expanded eligibility under SCHIP by increasing the allowable income limit. Ohio also passed a budget that includes an expansion, but financing depends on the outcome of litigation. See a detailed chart on state activity here.

“Our economy is tough here,” noted an Alabama State Senator. “But our decision was to fund the health care needs of our children because a healthy child learns better and they don’t show up at the emergency room needing acute care.”

Kentucky Voices for Health is advocating for a similar expansion of the Kentucky Child Health Insurance Program (KCHIP). In its issue brief Better Coverage for Kentucky’s Children: Small Changes Mean Big Improvement, KVH calls for an increase in eligibility levels from the current 200% of the federal poverty level ($44,100 per year for a family of four) to 250% ($55,125 per year for a family of four).

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