Even though most states endured severe financial challenges over the past year, eligibility levels for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program mostly stayed stable in 2011, according to a report from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (pdf).
Eleven states made targeted expansions to Medicaid and CHIP, mostly for children. For example, West Virginia expanded CHIP eligibility for children from 250 percent of the federal poverty level to 300 percent. Illinois, Texas and Vermont also took on provisions that gave health coverage to immigrant children lawfully residing in the United States without a five-year wait, according to the report.
However, health coverage for parents of covered children still lags overall. As of Jan. 1, 2012, only 18 states cover parents with full Medicaid benefits at or above the FPL, while 25 states and the District of Columbia cover uninsured children in families with income at or above 250 percent of the FPL.
Eleven states made targeted expansions to Medicaid and CHIP, mostly for children. For example, West Virginia expanded CHIP eligibility for children from 250 percent of the federal poverty level to 300 percent. Illinois, Texas and Vermont also took on provisions that gave health coverage to immigrant children lawfully residing in the United States without a five-year wait, according to the report.
However, health coverage for parents of covered children still lags overall. As of Jan. 1, 2012, only 18 states cover parents with full Medicaid benefits at or above the FPL, while 25 states and the District of Columbia cover uninsured children in families with income at or above 250 percent of the FPL.
Related Articles on Medicaid and CHIP:
23 States Receive Collective $300M in Bonuses for Enrolling Eligible Children in Medicaid
CMS: Satisfaction Rates for Medicaid, CHIP Higher Than Employer Coverage
HHS Publishes 2 Proposed Rules Regarding Affordable Health Coverage