Coverage

Many critical aspects of federal health reform will be implemented by the states.  Through program design, regulations, policies and practices, state decisions and actions already play a profound role in shaping the American health care system.  Both the House and Senate reform proposals would dramatically change the federal structure within which state health policy operates.  Part I of this State Policymakers’ Guide provides a high-level view of existing state roles in the health care system and how federal reform will affect those roles.

This April 2007 Issue Brief describes the current views of SCHIP directors on key issues being considered in the reauthorization process. While it does not capture all of the views of all of the states on all issues relevant to reauthorization, it represents the views of most states on issues of priority concern to them. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) deservedly enjoys broad support as a successful program. That success rests on a legislative foundation enacted as a result of careful bi-partisan compromise. Title XXI of the Social Security Act established a federal-state partnership program with a delicate balance of state flexibility and core program requirements. SCHIP was created with the goal of providing health coverage for low-income, uninsured children. This essential program, now serving more than six million, is up for reauthorization this year.

This fact sheet briefly explores some of the choices states have made in program design over the past ten years, the success achieved in enrollment and helping to reduce the uninsured, and the improved results in access to care and health outcomes for children with SCHIP coverage.

Published in May 2006, this fact sheet was originally prepared for the NASHP symposium on child health coverage that was held in March.  It discusses challenges and opportunities for providing coverage through private health insurance options.