What's Happening
April 2008
(4/29/08)
State Update: Colorado Budget Includes SCHIP Expansion
Governor Ritter (D) signed a budget bill on Monday that included an expansion of CHP+ from 205% to 225% of the Federal Poverty Level through SB 08-160. In addition, funds were allocated to provide medical homes to approximately 100,000 Medicaid and CHP+ children, to simplify the application process, and for additional outreach through SB 08-161.• It's Official: $17.6 Billion Budget, The Denver Post, April 29, 2008
• Governor Ritter Signs Signs Fiscal 2008-09 Budget Into Law, Governor's Press Release, April 28, 2008
(4/18/08)
GAO and CRS Release Opinions on August 17 Directive
The General Accountability Office (GAO) and Congressional Research Service (CRS) have released opinions that conclude that CMS erred in implementing the August 17th directive without sending it to Congress for review.• Government Accountability Office, Letter to Senators Rockefeller and Snowe, April 17, 2008
• Congressional Research Service, Memo to Senator Rockefeller, January 10, 2008
(4/15/08)
State Update: Texas Advocates Celebrate Gains in SCHIP Enrollment
Last year, Texas enacted legislation that included a number of changes to simplify their SCHIP program including returning to a 12-month continuous eligibility period, allowing families to claim more in child-related expenses, and increasing the amount of assets families could have in qualifying for coverage. The full effect of these policy changes is evident in the April enrollment numbers, which show that the number of children enrolled in SCHIP has grown by more than 108,000 children in just 8 months.• Can Do: Hospitals, Businesses and Advocates Took Politics Out of Health Insurance and Covered 100,000 more Kids, Houston Chronicle, April 11, 2008
• Texas Enrollment in Children's Health Insurance Program Surges 7%, Dallas Morning News, March 11, 2008
(4/10/08)
State Update: New York Expands Health Care Coverage to All Uninsured Children
Governor Paterson and the State Legislature agreed on April 9, 2008 to use state funds ($19 million) to expand Child Health Plus eligibility from 250% to 400% of the FPL. New York originally planned to use federal SCHIP funds for the expansion but due to the directive, CMS denied the state’s plan.• Governor Paterson Announces State Budget Expands Health Care Coverage to Every Uninsured New York Child, Governor’s Press Release, April 9, 2008
• Lawmakers Approve New Health Care Plan, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, April 2, 2008
(4/9/08)
Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing on August 17 CMS Directive
On April 9, the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care heard testimony on the impact of the August 17 Directive on children. Testimony was provided by Cindy Mann, CCF's executive director and an Ohio family.Finance Committee Web Site • Information on the CMS Directive
(4/3/08)
State Update: Oregon Plans to Institute 12-Months Continuous Eligibility
Governor Kulongoski (D) announced during his State of the State address that as of January 1, 2009, the eligibility period for children in the Oregon Health Plan will be extended from 6 months to 12 months. The Governor also announced his intention to reintroduce an initiative, which failed to pass last year, to extend coverage to all kids.• Oregon Governor to Revive Healthy Kids Initiative, The Oregonian, March 22, 2008
• Healthy Kids Summary Document, Governor Kulongoski
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