By Brittney Petersen, Colorado Community Health Network
Amidst what is a fairly bleak time for states trying to expand coverage for kids, there is encouraging news that more kids are getting health coverage in Colorado. Two recent reports demonstrate a significant decline in the number of uninsured kids in Colorado between 2008 and 2009.
The data demonstrates that the number of uninsured children in Colorado has decreased from 171,000 in 2008 to 135,000 children in 2009 – a decline of 36,000 kids. According to analysis from the Colorado Children’s Campaign 2011 KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report, some of our largest counties have seen statistically significant drops in the number of uninsured children. The Colorado Health Institute estimates that 86,847 of the 135,000 uninsured children in Colorado are eligible for but not enrolled in Medicaid or CHP+ (Colorado’s CHIP program). This is a significant decrease from 2008 estimates of 109,000 children that were eligible but not enrolled in either program.
Progress on covering uninsured kids is likely due to several factors including expanded outreach and enrollment efforts, increased awareness of Colorado’s Medicaid and CHP+ programs because of expansions, and a depressed economy. In May 2010, Colorado expanded Medicaid coverage to parents with incomes from 60 to 100% of the Federal poverty level (FPL) and CHP+ coverage to children and pregnant women with incomes from 206 to 250% FPL. In addition, through a federal State Health Access Program grant, Colorado awarded 23 organizations more than $1,000,000 to outreach, enroll, and retain these new expansion populations. Lastly, the economy and recent recession likely contributed to more children obtaining coverage due to loss of family income that made kids newly eligible for either Medicaid or CHP+.
This downward shift is promising news that indicates statewide efforts to get all kids covered are on the right track. The Colorado All Kids Covered Initiative has shared this good news with legislators, funders, and other key partners. Going forward we plan to use this data to encourage our community and state partners to keep up the good work and continue to support and implement policies that simplify enrollment and retention for families.
Colorado plans to implement several policies in the coming year that should decrease the number of uninsured kids even more, including electronic interfaces to help kids and families meet documentation requirements, administrative renewals, and launching an online application. Colorado All Kids Covered will continue to work in partnership with our state leaders to ensure that these policies are implemented to maximize the benefit to both the State and its citizens. Stay tuned for what we hope is another update on Colorado’s continued progress soon!
