Government
Eligibility increasing for public health care programs
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 14, 2008
New federal poverty guidelines for 2008 are translating into greater eligibility for state and federal public health programs, such as Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, according to the Foundation for Health Coverage Education, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing consumer awareness of the issue.
Earlier this year, the Dept. of Health and Human Services issued the revised poverty levels. For example, the poverty level for a single-member household increased by $190 to $10,400, a 1.9% increase, while the level for a three-person household grew by $430 to $17,600, a 2.5% jump.
"It's important to get the word out about these increases because nearly 33% of the 47 million uninsured in America are eligible for government-sponsored health insurance but aren't signed up," said Phil Lebherz, the foundation's founder. In 2007, more than 36.5 million Americans, or about 12.5%, lived in poverty.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/04/14/gvbf0414.htm.
