Arizona Reverses Course, Reinstates Health Insurance Program For Low-Income Kids
It was the only state in the country not participating in the federal Children's Health Insurance Program. The program, called KidsCare in Arizona, was attached to a separate bill after it had been left out of the budget approved last week.
The New York Times:
Arizona Restores Health Program For Children Of Working Poor
A health care program for children of the working poor that had been left out of the budget approved by the Arizona Legislature this week was resuscitated on Friday, after Democrats and moderate Republicans agreed to attach it to a bill expanding disabled students’ eligibility for school vouchers. After blocking a previous stand-alone bill authorizing the program last month, the Senate president, Andy Biggs, allowed the amended measure to come to a vote on Friday. The House of Representatives had already passed it 38 to 21 late Thursday. (Santos, 5/6)
Reuters:
Arizona Joins Rest Of U.S. In Adding Health Insurance Program For Children
Arizona opted out of the federal Children's Health Insurance Program in 2010 over cost concerns as it grappled with a budget crunch. The program aims to help working families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid health care coverage for the poor, but who cannot afford private health insurance. To qualify for KidsCare, as it's known in Arizona, a family of four must earn between $33,000 and $49,000 annually. It is estimated to serve about 30,000 children in Arizona. (Schwartz, 5/6)
The Arizona Republic:
Ducey Signs Bill Restoring Kids Health Insurance
More than 30,000 Arizona children from low-income families will be eligible for health insurance after a lightning-quick revival of KidsCare, which appeared all but dead earlier this week. (Pitzl, 5/6)
