Recent figures show that approximately 31 million (or 42%) of U.S. children receive health insurance through Medicaid or CHIP.1,2 These programs have been critical in improving access to pediatric care, which studies show improves medical utilization and leads to better personal, educational, and societal health outcomes. Thus, as healthcare providers, it is critical that we understand how these systems function if we hope to advance our nation’s health. (more…)
CHIP
Lack of Medicaid expansion in Texas continues to impact uninsured
Dr. Rachael Johnston posted a thoughtful piece about a year ago about the impacts of Texas’ refusal to accept additional funding for Medicaid that is available through the Affordable Care Act. This week, on the heels of the opening of a brand-new Parkland Hospital in Dallas, a hospital that provides care for thousands of low-income patients, the Dallas Morning News has published and editorial outlining the impact that this policy decision has had on the state.
Increasing Enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are the two largest public health insurance programs for working and low-income children families in the United States. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), both of these programs have seen an increase in enrollment across the country during the past year even in states, such as Texas, that have decided not to expand Medicaid eligibility to poor adults. As of May 2014, Texas had 80,435 new enrollees in Medicaid– a 1.8% increase over pre-ACA figures. However, roughly 874,000 Texans eligible for Medicaid and CHIP have still not enrolled, including over 700,000 children. (more…)
A World Without CHIP
In her post on Feb 10, Dr Shae Anderson reminded us that federal funding for CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) will soon expire in September 2015. In order to voice its continued support of CHIP and to call for providers to advocate to their legislators, the AAP recently released a revised policy statement on the program in March. (more…)
The AAP Praises CHIP & Asks for Continued Support
The American Academy of Pediatrics is voicing its continued support of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and hoping to garner future support in the process. CHIP was signed into law in 1997 as part of the Balanced Budget Act, it was reauthorized in 2009 under the CHIP Reauthorization Act, and extended through 2019 with funding through 2015 in 2010 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (more…)
Pediatric Advocacy 