From August 2007 through July 2008, Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families kept state-level officials and child health advocates apprised of important issues concerning health care coverage for children, with an emphasis on changes to the federal State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

CHIP gives matching funds to states in order to provide health insurance to children in families with incomes that are modest but too high to qualify for Medicaid. Reauthorization with substantial changes had been expected in autumn 2007, but a political stalemate resulted in an extension of the existing law in December 2007 instead.

This project was originally designed to inform key audiences about the provisions of the reauthorization. After the extension passed, the focus shifted to addressing regulatory changes and ways to expand coverage under the existing program.

Key Results:

• The project team produced three reports, which:
  • Summarized the pending reauthorization legislation (September 2007)
  • Provided data on available CHIP funds for fiscal year 2008 (March 2008)
  • Examined a federal directive limiting states' enrollment flexibility (May 2008)
    
• The center co-hosted two webinars briefing 100 state advocates on the CHIP extension in January 2008.
• It published five brief reports on key coverage issues:
  • Family Coverage: Covering Parents Along with their Children
  • Cost Sharing for Children and Families in Medicaid and CHIP
    
  • State Buy-in Programs for Children
  • Program Design Snapshot: 12-Month Continuous Eligibility
  • Program Design Snapshot: Public Coverage Waiting Periods for Children
• A redesigned website improved navigation and added a State Resource Center to better serve state advocates and organizations seeking to advance coverage initiatives.