So in the almost final installment of my musings on premium assistance, I am going to cover two issues and then wrap up this scintillating series (I hope – this might get toooooo long and we may have to go to Part 4 which would ruin my whole LOTR analogy.). The first question is about […]
Welcome to Part 2 of my musings about the state of premium assistance. Part 1 left us with the teaser that CHIPRA includes new premium assistance options, which the new health reform law incorporates and expands to all Medicaid beneficiaries as of January 1, 2014. So let’s take some time to explore where things stand […]
I started studying premium assistance programs in Medicaid and CHIP a decade ago with a large dose of skepticism. The idea of buying private coverage with public dollars when it is more expensive and typically covers fewer benefits than Medicaid struck me as a bad deal for beneficiaries and taxpayers alike. In many cases this […]
Once President Obama signed into law the health care reform bill, we all started to dig a little deeper into what the provisions mean for those in the “real world.” One issue that has risen to the top is untangling the new rules governing when insurance companies have to cover sick children. So, let’s break […]
Mom: “Did you brush your teeth?” Child: “Yep.” Mom: “How come your toothbrush isn’t wet?” This is an excerpt from the script of the bedtime drama performed live nightly in the comfort of my own home. Just between you, me and the tooth fairy … after battling on the nutrition, hygiene and homework fronts, I […]
5:30 pm Signing off Thanks for taking the time to follow the health reform summit. At CCF, we’re anxious to hear your reaction to the summit and what it means for the prospects of health reform and its impact on children and families. For a transcript of the health reform summit, visit Kaiser health news. Don’t forget to […]
Our search for interesting state innovations brings us once again to Wisconsin. The last time we sent you a postcard from Wisconsin, we highlighted its successful ACCESS program that allows people to apply online, check the status of their benefits, and report any changes. In this case, the state has moved forward to take advantage […]
Donna Cohen Ross Outreach Director, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities One year ago last Thursday, President Obama signed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) into law. The President’s words that day reinvigorated a nationwide effort to ensure that children have the health coverage they need. We have made significant strides since then, […]
Since Finish Line was launched in 2007, 1.3 million more children have secured health care coverage bringing the uninsured rate for children to historic lows.
Wendy Lazarus, Founder and Co-President, The Children’s Partnership As the health reform debate in Congress moves further forward than it ever has before, the potential real-world impacts on children and families are becoming clearer. Even from 3,000 miles away, those of us in California – home of the nation’s largest and hugely successful CHIP program […]
By Jocelyn Guyer The Senate Finance Committee began its markup yesterday and moved into high gear today, taking votes for the first time on amendments. Senator Baucus released his mark last Wednesday, September 15th and was immediately deluged with over 500 amendments. Yesterday, he released a revised version that incorporates some of the amendments. From […]
This month, CCF is heading to Nashville, Tennessee to listen to the new beat coming out of “Music City, USA.” Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen recently changed his tune and announced that on March 1, enrollment will resume for CoverKids, the state’s CHIP program. The Governor had frozen enrollment in November but, after a public outcry, […]
By Jocelyn Guyer It is becoming increasingly clear that Congress may well dismantle the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as part of broader health reform. Children and their families have much to gain in health reform, as my colleagues and I have written about elsewhere, but this is a change worthy of its own […]
By Jocelyn Guyer On Friday, almost two weeks ago now, the three major committees in the House with jurisdiction over health reform put out a draft legislative proposal, known as “The Tri-Committee bill.” We’ve now read the 852-page document a few times, and think it would make giant strides in providing access to coverage to […]
By Jocelyn Guyer Health reform didn’t go very well this week and everyone already knows it. Since it is well-covered territory, I’ll leave the depressing details to others, and stick to what this week’s developments mean for children. Leaving aside for now the just-released and yet-to-be-read 852-page House bill on health reform, the most notable […]
By Jocelyn Guyer Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee released a set of health reform coverage options, offering some important insight into the direction this crucial committee may take as it tackles the goal of covering all Americans. It’s hard to sum up the 61-page document — not only does it cover a lot of terrain but there are options […]
As we approach the 1-year anniversary of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA), CCF thought we would pay a visit to a state that has successfully translated the promise of that new law into a reality for many Oregonians. Oregon has overcome many obstacles, including gaining legislative approval for increased revenue through an […]
Summary On July 31, 2007, Governor Mike Easley signed into law NC Kids’ Care. NC Kids’ Care is a new publicly subsidized insurance program for children in families earning 201 percent to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Currently, North Carolina provides Medicaid and Health Choice (its SCHIP program) to children with family […]
