government
9 states receive bonuses for getting health coverage for children
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 4, 2010
More than $72 million is being awarded to nine states for making significant progress in enrolling children in health coverage through Medicaid, the Dept. of Health and Human Services announced Dec. 17, 2009.
Funding for the performance bonuses was included in the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. States receiving the funds are Alabama, Alaska, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. To receive the bonuses, the states had to adopt at least five of eight program features designed to encourage enrollment and retain eligible children. States also had to document significant increases in Medicaid enrollment among children over the course of the year.
A Dec. 8, 2009, survey on state Medicaid and CHIP programs by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities concluded that 26 states bolstered coverage in the programs by expanding eligibility, simplifying enrollment procedures or reducing financial barriers.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/01/04/gvbf0104.htm.
