Getting to the Finish Line on Childrens Coverage

Cindy Mann Center for Children and Families Georgetown University Health Policy Institute National Health Policy Forum Universal Coverage for Children: States Setting the Pace September 19, 2008 Getting to the Finish Line on Childrens Coverage

Setting the Context State economic conditions State actions Federal actions

Source: E. McNichol and I. Lav, State Budget Troubles Worsen, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (September 8, 2008). FL NC SC GA LATX AL AR KS OKAZ TN MS NV UT CO NM CA WY ID WA OR ND SD NE MT MN IA MO IN MI WI IL ME OH KY HI AK NY PA WV VA CT NJ DE MD RI NH VT DC MA State Budget Woes Worsening FY 2009 States with Budget Shortfalls in FY09 (30, including DC) States with Additional Mid-Year Shortfalls (13 states)

Moving Forward Even in Challenging Fiscal Climate We are making tough decisions, but we're doing that while also protecting the core priorities, such as education, providing health care to our children and supporting tax reform that I believe will help revitalize our economy in the long run. Governor Ted Strickland (D-OH) announcing $540 million in cuts (September 10, 2008)

Source: As of September 4, 2008 based on a review by the Center for Children and Families of state initiatives in 2007 and States Moving Forward 2008 Implemented 2007 Legislation to Improve Child and Family Coverage (15 states) FL NC SC GA LATX AL AR KS OKAZ TN MS NV UT NM CA WY ID WA OR ND SD NE MT MO IN MI WI IL ME OH KY HI AK PA WV VA CT NJ DE MD RI NH VT DC MA Enacted New Legislation/Took Administrative Action to Improve Child and Family Coverage (10 states) CO IA NY MN

In 2008, 19 states authorized new measures or implemented measures approved in 2007 Continues a 4-year trend: since 2005, two- thirds of states have made significant improvements in their childrens coverage programs Changes include improvements to boost enrollment among already-eligible children and eligibility expansions States Moving Forward

Reaching the Eligible but Unenrolled Children < 1% Procedural closings in Louisiana: Source: LaCHIP/Medicaid Eligibility Division, La. Department of Health & Hospitals, September 2008

Assuring Eligible Children Can be Enrolled We have made great strides in improving access to health care for our vulnerable children. Governor Huntsman (R-UT) celebrating the 10th Anniversary of SCHIP (August 21, 2008)

Eligibility Changes Over the past 4 years, 22 states have enacted eligibility expansions in SCHIP/Medicaid Currently, 45 states have enacted legislation to cover children 200% of FPL and 20 states have authorized coverage 300% of FPL

Premiums for Employer-Sponsored Coverage Are Growing Faster than Workers Earnings Source: Center for Children and Families analysis of Kaiser/HRET Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits, ; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Seasonally Adjusted Data from the Current Employment Statistics Survey, (April to April).

The Welcome Mat Effect STATE Total New Enrollment Previously Eligible Illinois244,700165,600 (68%) Data from November June 2008 Massachusetts51,00032,750 (64%) Data from June June 2008 Pennsylvania19,00011,000 (59%) Data from February June 2008 Wisconsin49,10840,881 (83%) Data from February May 2008 Source: Center for Children and Families,Putting Out the Welcome Mat: Implications of Coverage Expansions for Already-Eligible Children (September 9, 2008).

States are Leading the Way but Federal Action is Essential SCHIP reauthorization August 17 th Directive FMAP Health reform

Note: Average monthly enrollment for fiscal year 2012; SCHIP & Medicaid would cover 5.8 million children when reductions in other coverage are included; numbers may not sum due to rounding. Source: CBO estimate of changes in SCHIP and Medicaid enrollment of children under the House Amendments to the Senate Amendments to H.R. 976, the Childrens Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (September 24, 2007). Children Currently in SCHIP Who Could Lose Coverage Children Newly Eligible Through SCHIP Expansions Uninsured Children Already Eligible 3.8 Million Otherwise Uninsured Children Missed Opportunity: CHIPRA Was Projected to Help States Cover Nearly 4 Million Additional Children 84% Eligible Under Current Program Rules

What Happens on March 31, 2009? Source: C. Peterson, What Happens to SCHIP After March 31, 2009?, Congressional Research Service (July 22, 2008). Number of States that Will Face Funding Shortfalls in FY 09

Emily is Waiting

The program needs stable funding Policy issues addressed in CHIPRA need to be resolved Uncertainty can stop or even unravel progress But SCHIP reauthorization is not health reform; children as well as adults have much at stake in the broader health reform debate The Imperative for SCHIP Reauthorization

Americans Support Covering Children 91% July 23, 2007 Source: Poll conducted by Lake Research Partners and American Viewpoint, national survey of 1,002 American voters from June 26 - July 1, 2007 for the Center for Children and Families

Why? Finally, we must do this -- and do it now -- because supporting children's health is vital to supporting Kentucky's future. So much depends on laying a proper foundation for our children's lives at the earliest possible age. With this KCHIP plan we take a significant step forward toward that goal. Governor Steve Beshear (D-KY) Reversing Course on Childrens Health, Louisville Courier-Journal (September 14, 2008)