The State Children's Health Insurance Program: How Much Latitude Do the States Really Have?

Authors

Richard Hegner, George Washington University

Document Type

Issue Brief

Publication Date

10-1-1998

Abstract

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) — a major program to cover low-income, uninsured children — was passed as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Its passage was part of a trend of a shifting balance of power between the federal and state governments, particularly in the policy areas of health and social welfare. This issue brief explores the degree of freedom afforded the states by CHIP, the factors guiding state decision making and planning, and the factors influencing the states' various decisions about CHIP. It also discusses state options in four basic areas: participation or nonparticipation in CHIP; expansion of state Medicaid programs versus development or enlargement of separate state programs for uninsured children, using CHIP funding allotments; the levels at which eligibility levels are set; and ways to contain crowd-out.

Comments

Issue brief no. 725

Recommended Citation

Hegner, Richard, "The State Children's Health Insurance Program: How Much Latitude Do the States Really Have?" (1998). National Health Policy Forum. Paper 17.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/sphhs_centers_nhpf/17

Open Access

yes