Children's Health
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a federally funded program administered by the states that provides health coverage for American children in working families. States design their own CHIP programs and determine policies and eligibility requirements within broad federal guidelines. In 2006, CHIP provided health coverage for 6.6 million children.
Medicaid and CHIP work together to provide health coverage for children in low- and middle-income families. Still, many children do not have health coverage. Currently, more than 9 million American children are uninsured. (Medicaid and CHIP go by different names in different states. Click here for a list of program names.)
This section of our Web site offers up-to-date information on children’s health legislation, including the reauthorization of CHIP, and other topics related to children’s health.
The Latest
From Families USA:
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Soften the Blow during Tough Economic Times discusses how these programs have served as an effective health care safety net for many newly uninsured families, particularly for children. (October 2009)
CHIPRA: The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act - A Series of Issue Briefs. In February 2009, after a protracted political fight, Congress enacted, and President Obama signed, legislation that renewed CHIP through the end of 2013 and expanded its scope. These issue briefs examine the new provisions that were included in the reauthorization and how they will affect implementation in the coming months.
Summary of Final CHIP Reauthorization Bill (February 2, 2009)
From the Children’s Partnership and the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured
Why Express Lane Eligibility Makes Sense for States and Low-Income Families explains how Express Lane Eligibility would help states streamline enrollment and renewal of children in Medicaid and CHIP by coordinating across programs. The brief highlights the potential benefits of an Express Lane Eligibility initiative, including increasing access to care for low-income children, making coverage more stable, and reducing administrative costs. (October 2009)
From the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured
Changes in Health Insurance Coverage, 2007-2008: Early Impact of the Recession indicates that the sharp decrease in coverage over this time period (1.5 million newly uninsured adults) was largely due to declines in job-based insurance. Coverage through public programs has bridged some of this gap, but increases in coverage for children were substantially larger than for adults. (October 2009)
From the Kaiser Family Foundation
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Access to Care among Children: How Does Medicaid Do in Closing the Gaps? examines how disparities among children in Medicaid compare with those among privately insured and uninsured children. The findings reveal that disparities in Medicaid were similar to those in the private insurance market, and although the majority of children fare well in terms of access, problems still persist for children trying to get access to the health care they need. (December 2009)
From the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute
Progress Enrolling Children in Medicaid/CHIP: Who Is Left and What Are the Prospects for Covering More Children? notes that improving enrollment and retention processes and tailoring outreach strategies to uninsured children and their communities are crucial. The Medicaid expansion under health reform will also help increase enrollment, but continuing existing efforts will be key to preventing gaps in coverage. (November 2009)
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