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States Moving Forward - 2009

States have continued to respond to the strong political support for children's health coverage and taken advantage of the passage of CHIPRA (as well as a temporary FMAP increase provided under the economic stimulus package) to sustain and strengthen their efforts to cover more of the nation's children and families. From January 1, 2009 through September 1, 2009:

• All but a few states held steady on children's health coverage, despite unprecedented state fiscal challenges.
  


• Twenty-three states enacted or implemented changes to increase the number of children and families receiving health coverage through Medicaid and CHIP.

  
  
• Eighteen states increased their Medicaid and CHIP income eligibility levels.
  

• Eleven states (including six of those that also expanded eligibility) are working to cut red tape in to make it easier to enroll in and renew coverage.

  

This positive activity on behalf of children builds on progress achieved over the past several years in Medicaid and CHIP. However, coverage of children and their families is at a critical juncture. Even as states continue to cope with serious fiscal problems, the changes now under consideration in health reform could fundamentally alter the coverage landscape for children. While they hold the promise of providing help to millions of children and their families, if health reform fails to build on the key ingredients of successful Medicaid and CHIP programs, some of the gains made over the past several years and through CHIPRA may be at risk.

View a chart of all states or click on a dark blue state to view what states are moving forward. For more details on states that have made changes that negatively impact child and family coverage, click on an orange state.

Download Weathering the Storm: States Move Forward on Child and Family Health Coverage Despite Tough Economic Climate (PDF)

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