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HHS Approves Plan to Expand Coverage to 3,000 Additional Children in Montana |
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HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today approved a Montana plan to expand health coverage to 3,000 additional children from low-income families in the state. The state's enrollment cap will increase from 10,900 to 13,900, as authorized by the Montana State Legislature in 2005, under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a federal-state partnership program. The approval made several other changes in Montana's SCHIP, including the elimination of income documentation as a requirement for the application process and providing enhanced mental health services to the enrollees. The state budget projects $24.7 million in total federal and state costs for the program, including $4.9 million for the 3,000 additional children. The Montana legislature also has authorized SCHIP to match up to $2.1 million in federal payments with private donations as a new source of funds. "These changes in the state's plan will provide vital health care services to more children whose families earn a bit too much to qualify for Medicaid," Secretary Leavitt said.
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