HHS is calling on states to enroll nearly 5 million uninsured children, but some states are facing budget crises that are forcing them to pull back on commitments, according to a report by American Medical News.
HHS is allocating $120 million in outreach grants to states to help them enroll children in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Medicaid or CHIP coverage is available in almost every state for children in families who earn up to $45,000, about twice the federal poverty level for a family of four.
But some states are cutting back. For example, California had about 700,000 program-eligible children in 2008, then the state's budget deficit called for a freeze of CHIP enrollment in 2009, and enrollment has not rebounded since then.
Read the American Medical News report on health reform.
Read more coverage on children's healthcare.
- Three Insurers to Stop Offering New Children's Policies, Citing Reform Law
HHS is allocating $120 million in outreach grants to states to help them enroll children in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Medicaid or CHIP coverage is available in almost every state for children in families who earn up to $45,000, about twice the federal poverty level for a family of four.
But some states are cutting back. For example, California had about 700,000 program-eligible children in 2008, then the state's budget deficit called for a freeze of CHIP enrollment in 2009, and enrollment has not rebounded since then.
Read the American Medical News report on health reform.
Read more coverage on children's healthcare.
- Three Insurers to Stop Offering New Children's Policies, Citing Reform Law