Free Download Articles, Softwares, E-Books, Tutorials, and News Online

A bill passed by the House Wednesday to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for four-and-a-half years would help an additional 35,900 Utah kids get health coverage, reducing the ranks of uninsured children in the state by 34 percent, according to a new Families USA report.

The measure, which is expected to be taken up soon by the Senate, comes as many Americans are losing their jobs and their health insurance, said Ron Pollock, executive director of the not-for-profit health advocacy organization. For every 1 percent the nation's unemployment rate rises, an estimated 600,000 children become uninsured.

"The increase in coverage is rather substantial and it truly does result in a down payment toward broader health care reform," Pollock said in a news briefing Thursday.

More children would become insured, in part, because the bill would make it easier for the children of legal immigrants to get CHIP, he said.

Current federal law bans legal immigrants from public health insurance programs until they've been in the country for at least five years. After that, states can include the income of sponsoring families, making it difficult for many to meet income guidelines.

Karen Crompton, executive director of Utah Voices for Children, said while she is encouraged by the legislation, the state needs to redouble enrollment efforts. Even without the proposed expansion in eligibility, Utah's CHIP program, which has year-round open enrollment, is hardly full.

"We've got about 90,000 uninsured kids in this state. The majority are likely eligible for CHIP or Medicaid, so first, let's just get those enrolled," she said. "(Our) second job: Let's make a commitment to getting all kids covered as a first step in health system reform."

CHIP, created in 1997, was due to be reauthorized in 2007. Twice that year Congress passed legislation to continue the program and expand its scope, but President George Bush vetoed the bills.

CHIP has continued to operate under an extension expiring in March.

The expansion in coverage would be paid for by a 61-cent increase in the federal tobacco tax -- now 39 cents -- and by placing a restriction on doctors referring Medicare patients to physician-owned specialty centers, Pollock said.

source : http://www.sltrib.com