Maryland Officials Hold Rally to Promote CHIP, Highlight Expanded Eligibility

Maryland health care officials on Aug. 28 held a rally in Baltimore to promote the recent expansion of the state's CHIP program, hoping to alert thousands of additional families that they are eligible for the "low-cost coverage," the Baltimore Sun reports. The new eligibility limits, which took effect July 1, open the program to families with annual incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level, or $52,950 for a family of four, up from 200% FPL, or $35,300 for a family of four. Families with annual incomes exceeding 200% FPL are required to pay "modest premiums" for CHIP coverage. State officials estimate that 14,000 additional children may now be eligible for the CHIP program, which already covers more than 90,000 Maryland children. At the rally, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (D) announced that the state plans to launch a nine-week media campaign for the CHIP program, which will include television, radio and print advertisements (Dresser, Baltimore Sun, 8/29). For further information on state health policy in Maryland, visit State Health Facts Online.