Coverage for uninsured adults and children

Forty-two states are planning to increase coverage for their uninsured adults and children according a report by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. More U. S. states are realizing the need to take action now that 47 million Americans, including 9 million children, lack any type of health insurance. This is also the first time in half a decade that none of the states are planning to cut Medicaid benefits in order trim their budgets.

Much of the state’s plans revolve around extending the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and/or Medicaid. The bad news is that a budget increase for SCHIP was vetoed earlier this month by President Bush and there are limitations on how much both programs can be used to insure all adults.

Several states are also hoping to pay more to medical providers, increase income level eligibility for programs such as SCHIP, and find ways to link the quality of service with the payments made for that service. Many states are also encouraging Medicaid health plans to release information about their performance.