Today, three more states moved forward with their plans to expand affordable health coverage to more uninsured children, implementing expansions they passed earlier in the year. These three states are among the twenty-three that improved child and family health coverage this year.
Starting today:
- Uninsured Alabama children in families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL) will be eligible to enroll in All Kids. That is up from 200% of the FPL.
- The Healthy Montana Kids Plan will open its doors to children in families earning up to 250% of FPL, expanding eligibility from 175% of the FPL.
- In Oregon, children in families earning up to 200% of the FPL will now be eligible for the Healthy Kids, an increase from 185% of the FPL. The state will further expand coverage in January.
In this time of economic uncertainty more and more families are finding it difficult to secure affordable health insurance. Those who have lost a job are facing the hard decision of how to pay for health coverage given the other bills piling up. Those with an offer of employer coverage are increasingly facing rising health care costs and steeper, unsustainable premiums. Many states understand this struggle facing families and have moved to meet their needs by expanding Medicaid and CHIP income eligibility levels.
As Congress continues to debate health reform, key questions on affordability and the role of public programs remain unanswered. Members would be wise to look to the states – recognizing that affordable coverage is out of reach for far too many and building on the key ingredients of successful Medicaid and CHIP programs.