Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Children's Health Insurance Coverage--Low Cost Care for Children

The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA or Public Law 111-3) reauthorized the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIPRA finances CHIP through FY 2013. It will preserve coverage for the millions of children who rely on CHIP today and provides the resources for States to reach millions of additional uninsured children. This legislation will help ensure the health and well-being of our nation's children.

Calling it a "down payment on my commitment to cover every single American," President Barack Obama signed the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 into law on February 4, 2009. The law will provide health care to millions of children across the country and went into effect on April 1, 2009.

CMS administers the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Children began receiving insurance through CHIP in 1997 and the program helped states expand health care coverage to over 5 million of the nation's uninsured children. The program was reauthorized on February 4, 2009, when the President signed into law the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA or Public Law 111-3). CHIPRA finances the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through FY 2013. It will preserve coverage for the millions of children who rely on CHIP today and provides the resources for States to reach millions of additional uninsured children. This legislation will help ensure the health and well-being of our nation's children.

The Children's Health Insurance Program is jointly financed by the Federal and State governments and is administered by the States. Within broad Federal guidelines, each State determines the design of its program, eligibility groups, benefit packages, payment levels for coverage, and administrative and operating procedures. CHIP provides a capped amount of funds to States on a matching basis. Federal payments under title XXI to States are based on State expenditures under approved plans effective on or after October 1, 1997.

Contact your State Medicaid agency (the Department of Health and Human Services for your state) for more information and to determine if you are eligible for the program.

For more health insurance information, please see:

Health Insurance, and Health Plan Coverage Options
COBRA Health Insurance Coverage
Affordable Health Insurance
Cheap Health Insurance Quotes

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