Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, formerly the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)) was created by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, enacted Title XXI of the Social Security Act, and has allocated about $20 billion over 10 years to help states insure low-income children who are ineligible for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.  States receive an enhanced federal match (greater than the state's Medicaid match) to provide for this coverage.  In 2007, after President Bush and Congress could not agree on CHIP reauthorization details, the program was extended through March 2009.  In February 2009, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 was approved by Congress and signed by President Obama.  In concert with the signing, President Obama sent a memorandum to CMS requesting that they immediately withdraw the August 17, 2007 Directive sent to state health officials which imposed conditions on states and limited their options to provide coverage to uninsured children.  He requested that they implement CHIP from this time forward without these requirements.

Resources

The Children's Health Insurance Program: A Primer for State Legislatures  
National Conference of State Legislatures, April 2009.

HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Release of $6 Billion in New CHIP Funds to Insure Children
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Press Release, June 19, 2009.

FY 2009 CHIPRA Allotments

Covering Kids
This State Legislatures magazine article focuses on outreach and enrollment efforts in the states to cover kids, June 2009.

CHIPRA Guidance
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
State Health Official Letter, April 17, 2009
Statement Related to Premium Assistance Provision in CHIPRA Section 311
State Health Officials Letter, May 11, 2009 Pregnant Women Coverage Option
Pregnant Women Coverage Option Attachment

CHIP Tips
A series of implementation briefs called “CHIP Tips” examines new opportunities for covering children following the reauthorization and expansion of CHIP.
The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured

CHIP Gets Renewed
State Legislatures magazine, National Conference of State Legislatures, April 2009

Summary of new CHIP Reauthorization Law
Center for Children and Families, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, February 2009

Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA)
The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, February 2009

Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, Public Law 111-3

CHIPRA Implementation Series: Exploring New Opportunities for Children's Coverage
Families USA

CHIP Reauthorization: Renewed Support for Children's Oral Health  
Children's Dental Health Project

Children's Health Reform Laws
National Conference of State Legislatures webpage
 

NOTE: NCSL provides links to other websites for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate NCSL's support or endorsement of the site.

Updated June 2009

This site is made possible by project, MCU 1 H03 MC 00017, from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.