Summary

On July 31, 2007, Governor Mike Easley signed into law NC Kids’ Care. NC Kids’ Care is a new publicly subsidized insurance program for children in families earning 201 percent to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Currently, North Carolina provides Medicaid and Health Choice (its SCHIP program) to children with family income up to 200 percent of the FPL.

Originally set for implementation on July 1, 2008, North Carolina is revisiting the implementation of the program as a result of funding limitations and new federal restrictions placed on states to use federal funds to provide coverage to children with family income above 250 percent of the FPL. See information on these restrictions.

The legislative enactment was primarily due to leadership provided by the Governor and legislature, and a long-term campaign conducted by community and advocacy organizations to address growth in the rate of uninsured children with family income above 200% of the FPL.

For a summary of North Carolina’s programs see At a Glance.

Information for this state example was obtained through interviews with state advocacy organizations and administrative officials, review of Web site and program materials, and research resources.