HHS Approves Nevada Plan To Insure Children of Unemployed Adults; State Will Disregard Parents’ Unemployment Benefits When Determining Eligibility

HHS has approved Nevada's plan to extend health insurance benefits to some children whose parents have lost their jobs, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson announced on Feb. 7. Under the approved plan, Nevada will not count a parent's unemployment compensation toward their overall income when determining a child's eligibility for CHIP. Children in families with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level, or $35,300 for a family of four, are eligible for benefits under Nevada's CHIP program, called Check-Up. Nevada officials expect that 1,700 children will be able to receive coverage because of the alteration in determining eligibility. About 28,000 children are now enrolled in Check-Up (HHS release, 2/7). The expansion "will mean many Nevada parents facing tough times financially will not also have to worry about their children's health care," Thompson said (Associated Press, 2/7).