What's Happening
(6/23/08)
State Update: 1,217 Sign Up for Illinois All Kids in
One Day
The state exceeded the goal of the 1,000 Healthy Kids & Families
campaign on Saturday. Around 400 volunteers at more than 40 locations
in the Chicago area assisted in the enrollment drive, processing 1,217
applications. The event was sponsored by Resurrection Health Care and
the Chicago Sun-Times. • 1,217 Sign Up for All Kids Health Insurance, Chicago Sun-Times, June 23, 2008
(6/20/08)
State Update: Kansas Reports $1 Million Spent on Citizenship Documentation
20,000 eligible residents lost their health insurance because of federal rules implemented July 1, 2006, that require Medicaid beneficiaries to provide proof of citizenship. About half of those have reenrollled, with only one person determined ineligible because of citizenship status. The state was forced to hire additional personnel, as the policy resulted in a backlog of applications.• "Failed" Federal Policy Costs $1M: State Taxpayers Fund New Anti-Illegal Immigration Checks, Lawrence Journal World & News, June 19, 2008
(5/29/08)
Strengthening Children's Health Coverage at the Federal Level
A recent report
released by the Commonwealth Foundation examines state variations in
child health system performance. The rankings may encourage states to
improve their own systems, but a U.S. News & World Report article
states that there's a need for a larger federal role in setting
standards to encourage better care and coverage for children. Cindy
Mann, executive director of CCF, says, "We need to get beyond the ever
shifting politics when it comes to covering kids and making sure they
have access to care." • Children's Healthcare: Stronger Federal Standards Needed, U.S. News & World Report, May 28, 2008
(5/20/08)
State Update: Kansas Expands SCHIP Eligibility
Governor Sebelius (D) signed health care reform legislation that contains nine of the 21 changes recommended by the Kansas Health Policy Authority, including an expansion of HealthWave eligibility. Beginning in 2009, children with family income under 225% FPL will be eligible for coverage and in 2010, eligibility will increase to 250% FPL. Enrollees with incomes above 200% will be subject to an 8-month waiting period.• Sebelius OKs Health Reform Bills, The Wichita Eagle, May 20, 2008
• Sebelius Remains Committed to Schools, Health Care, Openness in Government; Denies Efforts to Diminish Voter Participation, Senate Replacement Maneuver, Press Release, May 19, 2008
• What is the Health Care Package?, Kansas Action for Children, May 3, 2008
(5/16/08)
State Update: Indiana Gets Approval for Limited Children's Expansion of Hoosier Healthwise
Indiana enacted legislation in May 2007 to expand SCHIP eligibility for children from 200% to 300% FPL. However, due to the August 17th directive, the state submitted and received CMS approval for a scaled back expansion to 250% gross FPL on May 9, 2008. For children with income above 200%, no standard Medicaid income disregards will be applied, a change from how the program currently operates. These children are also subject to a three month waiting period, a provision already in place in the current program, and will also be subject to a higher premiums than families with incomes up to 200% FPL. The state expects to begin enrolling newly eligible children beginning in October 2008.• Indiana State Plan Amendment #6
• Feds Approve Indiana Plan to Expand SCHIP Coverage, Chicago Tribune, May 9, 2008
(5/14/08)
State Update: Iowa Governor Signs SCHIP Expansion
On May 13th, Governor Chet Culver (D) signed bipartisan legislation that aims to provide coverage for all of Iowa's children by 2010. HF 2539 includes an expansion of hawk-i (Iowa's SCHIP program) to 300% of the FPL, 12 months continuous eligibility in Medicaid, and other measures that aim to eliminate red tape so that families more easily enroll and maintain their children's health coverage.• Culver Endorses Coverage for All Kids, Des Moines Register, May 14, 2008
• Governor Aims to Make Iowa "Healthiest State in the Nation," Press Release, May 13, 2008
(5/8/08)
CMS Addresses CMS Directive
In a new State Health Official letter, CMS addresses some of the issues raised by the August 17 directive. The directive restricts the ability of states to provide health coverage to uninsured children using SCHIP funds.State Health Official Letter • CCF Analysis of Letter
(5/6/08)
A Lost Opportunity for Affordable Health Care Coverage for Children
Tens of thousands of children have already lost out on coverage as a direct result of the August 17th directive and more children are at risk of losing coverage in the months ahead. A new CCF report based on data and analyses by state officials, research organizations, and legal experts provides an update on the impact of the directive.Executive Summary • Full Report • Press Release
(5/2/08)
State Update: Rhode Island Cuts Coverage to 2,800 Immigrant Children
In order to close a $168 million deficit, the Rhode Island FY 2008 Supplemental Budget makes widespread cuts across state government. The Governor's proposed eligibility decrease for adults from 185% to 133% FPL was not included in the final budget; however, it does eliminate RIte Care health coverage for more than 2,800 immigrant children that had been grandfathered into the program.• Senate Approves Supplemental Budget, Press Release, May 1, 2008
• Proposed Cuts in Health Care Protested, Providence Journal, January 24, 2008
See What Happened in April 2008 See What Happened in March 2008 See What Happened in February 2008