In response, we've made more children eligible for health care, but we still face a challenge in making them aware of these benefits. The children are our future.
Healthy kids do better in school.
Families cannot make more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for Medicaid. Last year, the state Legislature passed Governor Locke's CHIP legislation that provides coverage for children under the age of 19 whose family incomes are up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level. CHIP makes benefits available to up to 15,000 more children than the 80,000 who qualify for Medicaid coverage but aren't enrolled. The CHIP and Medicaid benefit packages are the same and include check-ups, immunizations, prescription drugs, hospital care, dental and vision coverage and more. The CHIP program requires a monthly premium and modest co-payments.