| The CHIP program has evolved over the years and is | | | | Here are some important highlights of this bill: |
| another option, via the government, for possible health | | | | - Dental care coverage increases. States must cover |
| insurance. However, please note that this government | | | | dental care under the children's health program. They |
| program is not a full blown health insurance plan like | | | | will also be allowed to provide dental coverage as a |
| you could get through private health insurance | | | | supplement to private insurance. |
| companies and thus have limitations and coverage | | | | - Legal immigrants qualify for assistance more quickly. |
| caps, etc. CHIP is a great possible option for those on | | | | Pregnant women and children under 21 are the ones |
| a lower income or if one cannot get on an individual | | | | affected. Previously, legal immigrants had to wait five |
| health insurance plan due to medical underwriting. | | | | years from the time they entered the United States |
| Below is information on benefits that have been added | | | | before they were eligible for medical assistance from |
| to the CHIPS program this year. | | | | Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance |
| Shortly after taking office, on February 4, 2009, | | | | Program. Now States are able to cover pregnant |
| President Obama signed into law new regulations and | | | | women and children who are legal immigrants. |
| extension of benefits (CHIPRA) for an existing | | | | - Financial eligibility requirements have been raised. This |
| children's health insurance program (CHIP). | | | | means more families can be helped. A pregnant |
| This act provides health insurance coverage to lower | | | | woman's financial eligibility is now set at 185% of the |
| income pregnant women and children who do not | | | | Federal Poverty Level; a child under 19 is set at 200% |
| qualify for the state assistance program, but who fall | | | | of the FPL. The cap is set at 300%. |
| within 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It is | | | | - States can choose how they want to implement this |
| designed to help children in families that earn too much | | | | increased health coverage. They can expand Medicaid |
| to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford private | | | | by increasing the maximum family income allowable |
| health insurance. | | | | for children. Or they can expand current health |
| The act was made effective April 1, 2009 and will | | | | programs by increasing the number of children they will |
| continue through 2013. | | | | accept into the program or by opening the doors to |
| Under this bill more than four million uninsured children | | | | allow higher-income families to participate. They are |
| will be able to get medical assistance. Increased | | | | also able to establish new programs that comply with |
| tobacco taxes will offset the increase in spending | | | | federal law. However the States choose to do it, they |
| which is currently estimated at more than $32 billion | | | | will receive matching funds from the federal |
| over the next four years. | | | | government for the new children enrolled. |