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More kids would be eligible for coverage
Friday, March 16, 2007
Gov. Ted Strickland's two-year state budget calls for expanding health coverage to all Ohio children.
The Democrat's plan would expand Medicaid eligibility guidelines so that families making up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level — $62,000 a year for a family of four — could enroll their children in the state and federally funded Child Health Insurance Program.
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The move would enable 20,000 to 30,000 more children to enroll in CHIP at a cost of about $44 million in the next two years. Those beyond the poverty guidelines but needing coverage could buy Medicaid coverage through sliding scale premiums.
While praising the plan, which appears to have bipartisan support, health care providers worry about Medicaid's low reimbursement rates.
"The challenge is we've got to be sure if we expand eligibility that we pay those providers who take Medicaid appropriately," said Vicki Giambrone, spokeswoman for Children's Medical Center of Dayton.
Another concern: The Bush administration opposes the expansion of such programs, so Ohio might have to pick up the entire cost of the expansion by itself, said Jason Sanford, spokesman for the nonpartisan, nonprofit Ohio Health Policy Institute.
CHIP currently covers children in families making up to twice the poverty rate, or $41,300 for a family of four.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7408 or agottschlich@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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Gov. Strickland would expand Medicaid eligibility guidelines so that families making up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level — $62,000 a year for a family of four — could enroll their children in the state and federally funded Child Health Insurance Program.
