The U.S. Catholic Conference, Catholic Health Association of the United States, and Catholic Charities USA have a common goal of securing health coverage for all Americans, particularly children. The three organizations have joined to provide common guidance to advocates seeking to help craft state children's health insurance programs. We hope these guidelines, with specific questions to apply to state plans, prove useful in your advocacy efforts. Coverage of As Many Uninsured Children As Possible. States should also exercise their option to accelerate inclusion in Medicaid of older children in families below the poverty level and offer presumptive eligibility to children.
States have three years to use each annual allotment.
In addition, states are allowed to accelerate enrollment in Medicaid of children born before October 1, 1983. If states elect to do this, they can receive an enhanced matching rate from the federal government for the costs of covering these older children. These state medical assistance expenditures will be treated as matchable expenses by the federal government. The benefits offered should be comprehensive in scope and duration, include preventive services, and be reflective of children's developmental needs. Benefits should not include coverage of abortion or other morally objectionable services.