Washington:

Coverage to All Children

Summary

In March 2007, Governor Chris Gregoire of Washington signed legislation to provide health coverage to all children, regardless of immigration status, with family incomes up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). In addition, the legislation includes directives for the state to simplify and streamline application and renewal processes and improve the quality of and access to care children receive through Medicaid and SCHIP.

The new law is being phased-in over a five-year period beginning in July 2007 and is expected to be complete in 2012, with the stated goal of all children having coverage by 2010 and access to a medical home by 2012. Prior to the legislation, Washington covered children with Medicaid up to 200 percent of the FPL and with SCHIP between 200 percent and 250 percent of the FPL. With the expansion, implemented in July 2007, the state now covers all children, regardless of immigration status, with family income up to 250 percent of the FPL. Beginning in January 2009, the state intends to cover children in families with incomes up to 300 percent of the FPL, regardless of immigration status, and families with children above 300 percent of the FPL will be able to buy into state-provided coverage without a subsidy.