More states set to expand childrens insurance
Kids Health Insurance
December 31, 1997
Illinois is the latest state to announce plans for a major expansion of its Medicaid program for children. Gov. Jim Edgar announced Dec. 9 that the state will spend $50 million a year in new federal funds to add 40,000 children to the Medicaid rolls early next year. The state will contribute 35 cents for each dollar in federal funds it receives through the federal balanced budget act.
The expansion would provide Medicaid benefits to all children through age 18 to 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Currently, only children up to age 5 are covered at that level, with kids between 5 and 14 covered to 100% of FPL; older children are covered up to only 50% of FPL. According to the Chicago Tribune, nearly 3,000 low-income pregnant women also will benefit from the change. Under the expansion, pregnant women and infants up to 12 months will qualify if they have incomes of up to twice the poverty limit.
The newspaper also reported that a task force will advise the governor on how best to develop the state’s new Children’s Health Insurance Program, potentially offering subsidized private insurance to an additional 75,000 children. The state can tap a total of $122 million for both Medicaid and private insurance programs.
Of the children currently without health insurance in Illinois, an estimated 100,000 are eligible for Medicaid, but haven’t signed on to the program. The Medicaid expansion effort includes major new outreach efforts at schools, clinics and neighborhood centers. All told, the newspaper reports that about 300,000 children in the state—about two-thirds from working families—lack health insurance.
Illinois’ approach—melding Medicaid expansions with expansion of private insurance for children in families with higher incomes—is similar to that being considered in about half a dozen other states, including California, Florida and Connecticut (see related story, page 3).
A Dec. 9 report by the Children’s Defense Fund (see listing) shows more than a dozen states moving toward Medicaid expansions, with another dozen either focusing on expansions through the private insurance market or some combination of Medicaid and private insurance.
Alabama—Plan submitted to HCFA proposing Medicaid expansion for children ages 14 through 19 with family incomes under 100% of federal poverty level (FPL). Proposed effective date is Feb. 1.
Alaska—Governor proposes Medicaid expansion. Proposal will be submitted to state legislature at legislative session beginning in mid-January.
Arizona—Governor announced Nov. 6 that she will ask legislature to appropriate the full state match at the start of its session in January
Colorado—Plan submitted to HCFA Oct. 13 to insure children under 185% of FPL beginning Jan. 1. Builds on state’s existing non-Medicaid program.
Florida—Plan submitted to HCFA Dec. 2, expanding state’s Healthy Kids program and expanding Medicaid to children 14-19 under 100% of FPL.
Georgia—State considering public-private option similar to Florida’s Healthy Kids Program.
Idaho—Initial Medicaid expansion covering children up to age 19 up to 160% of FPL, retroactive to Oct. 1, 1997. Committee will discuss long-term options starting Jan. 1.
Maryland—Four hearings scheduled throughout the state. One proposal under consideration would expand Medicaid to 200% of FPL through age 18. The governor announced a $25 million spending target at a Nov. 18 meeting.
Massachusetts—Medicaid expansion to cover children up to age 19 up to 200% of poverty. An implementation date has not yet been set.
Michigan—Governor has proposed a new program to cover children under 200% of poverty. Implementation in five counties is set to begin Jan. 1. Statewide implementation is set for spring 1998.
Missouri—Medicaid waiver would cover children up to age 18 up to 300% of FPL. A plan has been submitted to HCFA. Implementation is expected by July 1.
Nebraska—Governor is proposing Medicaid expansion, possibly to 200% of poverty, for children through age 18.
Nevada—Governor is working with state health agency to plan insurance program for ( up to 20,000) low-income children not eligible for Medicaid. (The state hopes to launch the program by April, but will need to allocate $7.5 million if it wants to receive a $13 million match in federal funds.)
New Jersey—Governor proposed a Medicaid expansion for children up to age 18 up to 133% of poverty, and a new state program up to 200% of poverty, scheduled to begin Jan. 1.
New Mexico—Medicaid expansion to 235% of poverty has been proposed by the administration, with possible implementation by March 1.
New York—Plan submitted to HCFA, which would expand enrollment and increase premium subsidies in the state’s current child health insurance program.
North Carolina—(Governor is proposing expanding Medicaid program to cover up to 100,000 more children.)
Ohio—Medicaid expansion announced for children through age 18 up to 150% of poverty , starting Jan. 1.
Oregon—State would like to use federal grant funds in its recently passed family health insurance assistance program, which offers insurance vouchers for families between 100-170% of FPL.
Pennsylvania—Plan submitted to HCFA calls for expanding the state’s current child health insurance program.
South Carolina—Governor expanded Medicaid Oct. 1 for children up to age 19 with incomes under 150% of FPL.
Tennessee—Congress passed amendment Nov. 13, which would allow Tennessee to apply new federal grant money to its Spring 1997 TennCare expansion.
Utah—Governor plans non-Medicaid program, to start April 1, for children through age 18, up to 200% of poverty.
Wisconsin—Medicaid waiver for families up to 185% of FPL proposed by legislature and governor.
Source: Children’s Defense Fund (with additional information in parentheses from newspaper reports).
More states set to expand childrens insurance
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