Nevada may receive approximately $373 million in new federal funds to increase children’s health coverage over the next five years, according to a report issued today by the consumer health organization Families USA. As a result, funding for the program will allow Nevada to expand health coverage to many more of its 106,244 uninsured children.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have already passed budget resolutions setting aside $50 billion above current spending for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Medicaid over the next five years.
However, these new funds will become available to states only if two things happen: First, Congress must reauthorize SCHIP (since the program’s original 10-year authorization expires on September 30). Second, Congress must “pay for” this added $50 billion by providing new revenues and/or cutting other federal expenditures by a commensurate amount. Key congressional votes on this are expected in June.
“The stakes are high for Nevada’s children, especially the 106,244 children who are currently uninsured,” said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. “This $373 million in new funding will enable these children to receive needed care that will protect their health and enable them to learn and develop into productive Americans.”
According to the Families USA report, the additional money that could be provided to Nevada would not only help children, but it would also improve Nevada’s economy. Over the next five years, the $373 million in new federal funding could create:
- $139.9 million in increased business activity;
- $54.7 million in increased wages; and
- 1,442 additional jobs for state residents.
Federal funding for SCHIP is provided in an annual allotment that becomes available to Nevada with state matching funds. The federal government pays Nevada $2.10 for each dollar the state spends on Nevada Check Up. This matching formula is more generous than the matching formula provided to Nevada under the Medicaid program.
"Far too many uninsured families in southern Nevada worry every day that their only access to health care is a visit to the emergency room. Insuring more kids in our community will not only keep them healthy, it will provide families with peace of mind knowing that they can see the doctor or pay for a prescription. Preventive care not only keeps kids healthy, it saves money in the long run, but without health care coverage, a simple check-up can be out of reach for uninsured families. As a cosponsor of legislation in Congress that will increase SCHIP resources for Nevada and other states, I am hopeful that we will act this year to increase funding so states can insure our most precious resource—America's kids. I also voted for this year's budget resolution, which will increase SCHIP funding for Nevada by more than $370 million. This federal funding will help lower the rate of the uninsured among families with children living in the Las Vegas Valley and other Nevada communities," said Shelley Berkley (D-NV).
The Families USA report is based on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and is predicated on the current state-by-state SCHIP allocation formula and Medicaid expenditures for children. The economic impact in Nevada of the new federal funding for children’s health coverage is based on the Regional Input-Output Modeling System (RIMS II) created by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis.
