State Close-Ups
The following provide a deeper look at selected state initiatives produced by the Center for Children and Families. Information for the policy models was collected through interviews, written reports and program Web sites.
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Louisiana: Expansions, Simplifications and Outreach Louisiana has made steady and substantial progress in expanding eligibility for public health insurance coverage, and enrolling and retaining eligible children. As a result, between 1998 and 2007 the state reduced uninsurance among low-income children by 83 percent. And a particular focus on improving renewal processes has resulted in case procedural closure rates that are less than 1 percent.
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North Carolina: Eligibility Expansion On July 31, 2007, Governor Mike Easley signed into law NC Kids Care, legislation that created a new publicly subsidized insurance program for children in families earning 201 percent to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. While set for implementation on July 1, 2008, state officials are considering funding and program options in light of funding limitations and new federal restrictions. |
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Pennsylvania: Streamlined Enrollment & Renewal through Technology Pennsylvania has worked to implement enrollment and renewal practices that are easy to navigate for families and program staff. Among these innovations is its online application called COMPASS (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services). Pennsylvania has coupled this work with eligibility expansions in March 2007 it expanded its SCHIP program from 200 percent to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. |
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Washington State: Coverage to All Children Beginning in February 2009, Washington began enrolling children with family incomes up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) in its new Apple Health for Kids program. The implementation of this expansion is only the most recent phase of a comprehensive effort to cover all children that began over 2 years ago when Governor Chris Gregoire signed legislation to provide health coverage to all children, regardless of immigration status, with family incomes up to 300% of the FPL.
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