Jared Polis Foundation Education Report: Issues

The Colorado Children’s Campaign estimates that 180,000 kids in Colorado are uninsured. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), created by Congress in 1997, is a federal-state partnership that provides health insurance to low-income children who do not qualify for Medicaid, but whose families are financially unable to pay for private insurance. For every $1 the state spends, the federal government adds another $1.86.

Medicaid provides medical care for families who make 133% or less of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), or $27,465 annual income for a family of four. Colorado’s Children’s Health Plan Plus (CHP+) provides health care coverage to families who make more than 133% of the FPL, but less than 205% of the FPL or $42,333 per year for a family of four. Services include check-ups and immunizations, doctor visits, hospital services, medications, mental health, vision and dental services, hearing aids and prenatal care.

The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that in 2006 the state’s share for CHP+ was $32.44 million and the federal share was $60.24 million. Currently, about 46,500 kids are enrolled in CHP+; however, an additional 50,400 kids are eligible but not enrolled.

In June, Governor Bill Ritter signed into law Senate Bill 211, sponsored by State Senator Bob Hagedorn (D-Arapahoe) and State Representative Anne McGihon (D-Arapahoe), which enhances the CHP+ program. In addition to expanding eligibility from 200% to 205% of the FPL, which took effect July 1, SB 211 allows for an increase in eligibility thresholds to 300% of the FPL ($61,950 annually for a family of four) by July 1, 2009. To identify and enroll more eligible kids, the legislation authorizes the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to train and certify site assistants to help families complete the applications for both Medicaid and CHP+. It also creates an advisory committee in the department that will develop and oversee a plan to provide health coverage for all low-income children in Colorado by 2010.

In addition, three pilot sites have been established to boost Medicaid and CHP+ enrollment. Aurora Public Schools has developed a program that targets five schools in Arapahoe County, and the JeffCo Public Schools Medicaid program targets all 150 schools in the district, while Pueblo Step Up is subcontracting with the Pueblo School District 70 and the Pueblo City School District 60 to process Medicaid and CHP+ applications.

The medical and financial benefits of providing quality, preventative care to children are substantial. “While SCHIP has widespread bi-partisan support and has greatly reduced the number of uninsured children, the challenge ahead is to maintain and build on that success,” says Lorez Meinhold, Program Director for the Colorado Health Foundation. “If we’re serious about addressing the problem of the uninsured in our state, kids are an important place to start.” To promote awareness, the Colorado Health Foundation has joined other groups statewide to get the message out. The Colorado SCHIP Coalition was formed to educate, inform and advocate for the expansion of the SCHIP program, and has been vocal in its efforts to bring policymakers and the general public on board to help uninsured children receive the health services they need.

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