By John Reichard, CQ HealthBeat Editor
May 1, 2007 – A study released Tuesday says that since January 2006, 29 states have either adopted or are seriously considering legislation to cover more children through Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
The study also reports that 15 of the states plan on or have proposed increasing SCHIP income eligibility levels, most of them to above 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
Conducted by Georgetown University's Center on Children and Families, the study also says these state efforts will have a better chance of lasting success if Congress reauthorizes SCHIP legislation by adding $50 billion or more over five years in resources to the program.
The Bush administration has called for revising the program by limiting SCHIP matching funds to coverage of uninsured children at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.