Iowa CHIP Program May Return $13.5M in Unused Federal Funds Because of Low Enrollment

Because Iowa's CHIP program, called Healthy and Well Kids In Iowa, or HAWK-I, has enrolled only 10,270 out of an estimated eligible 67,000 children, the program may have to return about $13.5 million in unused federal funds, the AP/Omaha World-Herald reports. HAWK-I has a goal of enrolling 45,000 by 2003. However, HAWK-I Coordinator Anita Smith said the officials used 1990 Census figures to determine the number of children eligible for HAWK-I, and the resulting estimate of 67,000 children is "too high." She added, "We don't believe that number is probably accurate, but there isn't any better number available." Recent Census figures indicate that 57,963 Iowa families have annual incomes below the federal poverty level; of those families, 43,652 have children under age 18 (AP/Omaha World-Herald, 8/21). According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, children in families annually earning up to 185% FPL, or about $32,650 for a family of four, are eligible for HAWK-I (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, January 2001).