Government
SCHIP growth slows
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 9, 2004
Enrollment in the State Children's Health Insurance Program dropped last year -- the first decrease since it was created in 1997, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. But nearly all of that decline was due to reductions in three states: Maryland, New York and Texas. Most other states continued to have increased enrollment in the popular program.
Texas, which had the most significant declines, has made several changes to the program over the last year that resulted in more than 149,000 children being knocked from the rolls. Upcoming changes could result in another 100,000 being dropped. Other states with budget problems are considering similar changes that could limit enrollment in the program.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/08/09/gvbf0809.htm.
