Alaska Lawmakers Approve Bill That Would Expand SCHIP Eligibility

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 22 May 2007 - 1:00 PST

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The Alaska Legislature on Tuesday approved legislation that would increase the eligibility threshold for Denali KidCare, the state's version of SCHIP, the Anchorage Daily News reports. The program offers health coverage to low-income children and pregnant women. In 2003, income eligibility limits for Denali KidCare were raised and frozen at 175% of that year's federal poverty level, but inflation has reduced the income eligibility level to nearly 150% of the poverty level. About 2,500 beneficiaries since 2003 have lost coverage because of the changes.

The legislation approved Tuesday would increase the income limit to 175% of the poverty level and would reinstate about 1,300 of the beneficiaries who lost coverage, according to the Daily News. Officials in Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) administration said that the state could have lost $3 million in federal funding if its income threshold fell below 150% of the current poverty level (Kizzia, Anchorage Daily News, 5/16).

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