Advocacy for Access to Medicaid for Children who are Eligible
While any child or adult, by law, can receive emergency room care, this care does not allow for preventative care of diabetes or asthma etc., or ongoing care for any illness or disability. Promise the Children supports adequate funding for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for parent(s) and children if their income is below 133% of the poverty line.
Advocacy Against Medicaid Expansion Puts Our Children at Risk
The Affordable Care Act, enacted 2010, allows for a Medicaid expansion that could cover all citizens and legal residents making less than 133% of the federal poverty line. Nineteen of our poorest states, including Texas, have voted to decline this expansion, as is their right in accordance with a recent decision by the Supreme Court. Thirty-two state now offer expanded Medicaid to their citizens.
In Texas, it is estimated that 1.5 million people would have received coverage with Medicaid expansion but are being denied. The children being denied may be covered by CHIP, if congress doesn’t reduce funding for this program.
US Programs for Children’s Health Insurance
Medicaid
Medicaid is a public insurance program, signed into law in 1965 providing health coverage to low-income families, children, parents, pregnant women, and more, who are citizens or legal residents of the United States.
The federal government funds Medicaid jointly with each state. In general, the Feds pay 57% of the cost, but pay 75% in states with many residents earning near the poverty line. Each state operates its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines. Here is information on Medicaid and CHIP enrollment data.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was enacted in 1997, and has covered 8 million kids up to 19 years old with family incomes from 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($32,913 for a family of four) to as high as 405 percent ($96,592 for a family of four), depending on the state program. The federal government shares the cost of this program with each state paying an average of 70%. Together, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) served more than 43 million children in 2012. The issue of concern is the 21 states that have refused Medicaid expansion. Please watch for our action alerts in this regard.
You Can Help Improve Access to Health Insurance for Children of Low-Income Families.
Use these advocacy resources:
a. Healthcare for all (MomsRising)
b. Medicaid enrollment information in states (FamiliesUSA)
c. Enrollment and health care plans (HealthCare.Gov)
