A key element of health reform will be meeting the needs of low-income children.
Overall, a major goal of proposals is to expand coverage by building on
Medicaid, providing subsidies to low- and moderate-income individuals to buy
coverage through new health insurance exchanges, and requiring individuals to
obtain coverage. Current proposals also could significantly change coverage for
some children already eligible for Medicaid and CHIP.
This issue brief
examines several key issues to consider about low-income children's coverage
under health reform. Medicaid and CHIP are proven programs that have
successfully covered millions of low-income children with diverse health needs.
As reform efforts continue, it will be important to consider how to build upon
the accomplishments of Medicaid and CHIP, develop effective relationships and
transitions between public and private coverage, and assure that low-income
children receive coverage that meets the full range of their health needs and
offers meaningful financial protections for their families. Further, adequately
planning and funding for the transition to reform will be key to preventing any
disruptions in children's coverage or care as reform is implemented.
This issue brief was released as part of a package of
related materials in conjunction with a
media briefing on the findings of an annual 50-state survey of Medicaid and
CHIP eligibility and enrollment policies.
Issue Brief (.pdf)
