Children's Health
The state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a federally funded program administered by the states that provides health coverage for American children in working families. States design their own CHIP programs and determine policies and eligibility requirements within broad federal guidelines. In 2006, CHIP provided health coverage for 6.6 million children.
Medicaid and CHIP work together to provide health coverage for children in low- and middle-income families. Still, many children do not have health coverage. Currently, more than 9 million American children are uninsured. (Medicaid and CHIP go by different names in different states. Click here for a list of program names.)
This section of our Web site offers up-to-date information on children’s health legislation, including the reauthorization of CHIP, and other topics related to children’s health.
The Latest
From Families USA:
Expanding Coverage for Recent Immigrants: CHIPRA Gives States New Options examines the provision that lifts the "five year bar" for legally residing immigrant children and pregnant women. It discusses how states can take advantage of this new option to expand coverage—and why they should. (March 2010)
Improving Language Access: CHIPRA Provides Increased Funding for Language Services discusses the increased funding for language assistance services (interpretation and translation) and how states cover these services for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees who are limited English proficient, or LEP. (February 2010)
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Soften the Blow during Tough Economic Times discusses how these programs have served as an effective health care safety net for many newly uninsured families, particularly for children. (October 2009)
CHIPRA: The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act - A Series of Issue Briefs. In February 2009, after a protracted political fight, Congress enacted, and President Obama signed, legislation that renewed CHIP through the end of 2013 and expanded its scope. These issue briefs examine the new provisions that were included in the reauthorization and how they will affect implementation in the coming months.
Summary of Final CHIP Reauthorization Bill (February 2, 2009)
From the Kaiser Family Foundation
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Access to Care among Children: How Does Medicaid Do in Closing the Gaps? examines how disparities among children in Medicaid compare with those among privately insured and uninsured children. The findings reveal that disparities in Medicaid were similar to those in the private insurance market, and although the majority of children fare well in terms of access, problems still persist for children trying to get access to the health care they need. (December 2009)
From the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute
Progress Enrolling Children in Medicaid/CHIP: Who Is Left and What Are the Prospects for Covering More Children? notes that improving enrollment and retention processes and tailoring outreach strategies to uninsured children and their communities are crucial. The Medicaid expansion under health reform will also help increase enrollment, but continuing existing efforts will be key to preventing gaps in coverage. (November 2009)
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