Indiana Receives Approval To Expand SCHIP

Indiana Family and Social ServicesAdministrationSecretary Mitch Roob on Friday announced that CMS hasapproved an expansion of HoosierHealthwise, thestate's version of SCHIP, the AP/ChicagoTribunereports. Federal approval allows the state to increase eligibility to childrenin families with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level. The state hadapproved an expansion of the program to 300% of the poverty level, but CMSdenied the request because of new eligibility rules set by the agency in August2007. Roob said that the expansion will allow about 5,000 additional childrento enter the program this year, and eventually as many as 10,000.

Under the SCHIP portion of Hoosier Healthwise, beneficiaries contributepremiums of $22 to $50 per month, depending on the number of children in thefamily. However, the expansion also will increase premiums for newly eligiblefamilies. Families with incomes between 200% and 225% of the poverty level willcontribute $42 per month for one child and $53 per month for two or morechildren. Families with incomes between 226% and 250% of the poverty level willcontribute $53 per month for one child and $70 per month for two or morechildren.

State Rep. Charlie Brown (D) said that lawmakers might meet this summer todiscuss how to boost enrollment in Hoosier Healthwise and the state's Healthy Indiana Plan (Kusmer, AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/9).

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