More Kids Covered By SCHIP In 2007

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program saw an enrollment of more than 7 million children which is a 5.9 percent increase over last year. This was announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt.

He said that it was pleasing that SCHIP was growing, however they needed more work to ensure that people at the lowest income level were covered. SCHIP faces reauthorization in this coming year. It was created in 1997 with bipartisan support and is meant to help uninsured children. After recieving 40 bn in federal aid over 10 years, the program was recently extended till March 2009.

According to enrollment data compiled by CMS, 7.1 children were enrolled in SCHIP during 2007 compared to 6.7 mn in 2006. Uninsured children who live in low income families are the ones who benefit from SCHIP.

Kerry Weems, CMS Acting Administrator says that they are working with states to make sure that as many children who are uninsured and eligible get enrolled in SCHIP.