Texas SCHIP Has Sufficient Funding To Continue Coverage For At Least One Year

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 16 Oct 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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Texas' Health and Human Services Commission officials on Thursday announced that the state has sufficient money from existing federal allotments to continue covering SCHIP beneficiaries for at least one year, regardless of the fate of federal legislation that would reauthorize and expand the program, the Houston Chronicle reports. HHSC spokesperson Stephanie Goodman said the state also has sufficient funds to cover an expected enrollment increase of 135,000 children. The increase was approved by the state Legislature as part of a measure that reversed cuts made in 2003, when the state faced a budget crisis.

According to Center for Public Policy Priorities Associate Director Anne Dunkelberg, Texas will need additional federal funds in coming years if the state wants to cover the 300,000 children eligible but not enrolled in the program, as well as pregnant women. Texas' version of SCHIP covers children in families with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (Elliott, Houston Chronicle, 10/12).

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