HHS Approves Expansion of Arizona’s Medicaid, CHIP Programs to More than 25,000 Adults

HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Dec. 12 announced approval of Arizona's plan to extend health coverage through the state's Medicaid and CHIP programs to more than 25,000 uninsured adults. Under the expansion, the state will cover parents of children currently enrolled in either Medicaid or KidCare with annual family incomes between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level, or $17,650 to $35,300 for a family of four. In addition, the state will cover childless adults with incomes up to the federal poverty level, or $8,590 for an individual and $11,610 for a couple. Arizona, which primarily will use unspent CHIP program funds for the coverage expansion, "ultimately" intends to provide health coverage to a total of 50,000 uninsured residents through the approved waiver. Arizona's expansion is the first to be approved under the Bush administration's "streamlined" waiver approval process, known as the Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability initiative. Thompson said that Arizona's proposal, submitted on Sept. 20, was approved in fewer than three months, adding, "Under the old system, governors often had to wait years to get their expansion ideas approved -- needlessly delaying improved health coverage for children and families in their states" (HHS release, 12/12).