Feature Story

May 17, 2007

SCHIP Reauthorization: What's at Stake for the States?

Families USA:

Reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is likely to be the most important health care issue addressed on Capitol Hill this year.

The highly successful program, which started in 1997, provides health coverage to millions of low-income children with family incomes that are too high to qualify for Medicaid but not high enough to purchase other forms of health insurance.

Congress must therefore pass reauthorizing legislation within the next several months.

In these state reports, Families USA has estimated how much new funding each state could receive and the effect this new money could have on the state's economy, measured in increased business activity, wages, and jobs.