Kansas Senate Passes SCHIP Expansion Bill That Would Extend Coverage to 5,500 Children

The Kansas Senate on Wednesday voted 30-8 to approve legislation that would phase in a $14 million SCHIP expansion over two years, the AP/Wichita Eagle reports. The bill would increase the income eligibility threshold next year to 225% of the federal poverty level and to 250% of the poverty level in 2010. The change would extend coverage to an additional 5,500 children in middle-income families.

Some lawmakers criticized the bill because it would postpone indefinitely a program created last year that would help about 8,500 low-income parents purchase private health coverage. Senate Republican leaders were concerned with the additional $140 million the program would cost the state over five years.

The House will debate its version of the bill next week (AP/Wichita Eagle, 3/20).