Missouri House Gives Preliminary Approval To CHIP Reauthorization Bill

The Missouri House on March 21 gave preliminary approval to a bill ( HB 1926) that would extend the state's CHIP program for an additional five years, the Kansas City Star reports (Wagar, Kansas City Star, 3/22). Known as MC+ for Kids, Missouri's CHIP program is an expansion of its Medicaid program and covers children in families with annual incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Currently, about 77,000 children are enrolled in MC+ for Kids, which costs the state about $17 million per year (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 3/7). While Gov. Bob Holden (D) has made the program's reauthorization a top priority, some critics have questioned the program's high income eligibility limits. Supporters, however, say that most of the enrolled children come from families with lower incomes; 60,617 children are in families with incomes between 100% and 185% of the poverty level. The Star reports that about 1,400 children in the program are from families with incomes of 226% to 300% of the poverty level. Supporters add that families in the higher income brackets are responsible for monthly premiums and copayments and usually enroll because their children have a chronic illness, making private coverage unattainable. Holden noted that the program has saved the state money by providing preventive care; emergency room visits have dropped 14% since the program began in 1998 (Kansas City Star, 3/22).