Many More Virginia Children Eligible for CHIP Program than Previously Thought, Study Says

Even though they live in families that meet income eligibility limits for Virginia's CHIP program, called Family Access to Medical Insurance Security or FAMIS, up to 82,000 Virginia children are still uninsured, according to a study conducted by the Virginia Health Care Foundation, the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot reports. The study was conducted for the Legislature's Joint Commission on Health Care. Approximately 34,000 children are enrolled in FAMIS; Virginia officials have estimated that 63,200 children are eligible for the program but not enrolled. But the study says that about 82,000 children are in families making between 100% and 200% of the poverty level, or between $17,650 and $35,300 for a family of four, which makes them eligible for FAMIS benefits. Children's advocates have been "critical" of Virginia's efforts to enroll children in FAMIS, and state legislators are "alarmed" that the overall rate of the uninsured in Virginia has risen over the last five years (Heyser, Norfolk Virgian-Pilot, 8/31). A recent survey shows that since the state CHIP program started in 1998, the rate of uninsured children went from 10% in 1996 to 14% this year (Smith, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8/31). Jill Hanken, staff attorney for the Virginia Poverty Law Center, said that the program's "slow enrollment" could mean that Virginia might forfeit federal CHIP money, a portion of which must be returned to the federal government if not used. Over the last three years, Virginia has spent only about $41.4 million of the $285.4 million in available federal CHIP funds. Eric Bell, director of the state Department of Medical Assistance Services said, "The Urban Institute estimated that Congress provided twice the amount of money needed." He added that the state "is doing everything it can to increase enrollment" (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 8/31). For further information on state health policy in Virginia, visit State Health Facts Online.