42 U.S.C. § 1397gg (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE)
§ 1397gg. Strategic objectives and performance goals; plan administration
(a) Strategic objectives and performance goals
(1) Description
A State child health plan shall include a description of—
(A) the strategic objectives,
(B) the performance goals, and
(C) the performance measures,
the State has established for providing child health assistance to targeted low-income children under the plan and otherwise for maximizing health benefits coverage for other low-income children and children generally in the State.
(2) Strategic objectives
Such plan shall identify specific strategic objectives relating to increasing the extent of creditable health coverage among targeted low-income children and other low-income children.
(3) Performance goals
Such plan shall specify one or more performance goals for each such strategic objective so identified.
(4) Performance measures
Such plan shall describe how performance under the plan will be—
(A) measured through objective, independently verifiable means, and
(B) compared against performance goals, in order to determine the State’s performance under this subchapter.
(b) Records, reports, audits, and evaluation
(1) Data collection, records, and reports
A State child health plan shall include an assurance that the State will collect the data, maintain the records, and furnish the reports to the Secretary, at the times and in the standardized format the Secretary may require in order to enable the Secretary to monitor State program administration and compliance and to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of State plans under this subchapter.
(2) State assessment and study
A State child health plan shall include a description of the State’s plan for the annual assessments and reports under section 1397hh(a) of this title and the evaluation required by section 1397hh(b) of this title.
(3) Audits
A State child health plan shall include an assurance that the State will afford the Secretary access to any records or information relating to the plan for the purposes of review or audit.
(c) Program development process
A State child health plan shall include a description of the process used to involve the public in the design and implementation of the plan and the method for ensuring ongoing public involvement.
(d) Program budget
A State child health plan shall include a description of the budget for the plan. The description shall be updated periodically as necessary and shall include details on the planned use of funds and the sources of the non-Federal share of plan expenditures, including any requirements for cost-sharing by beneficiaries.
(e) Application of certain general provisions
The following sections of this chapter shall apply to States under this subchapter in the same manner as they apply to a State under subchapter XIX:
(1) Subchapter XIX provisions
(A) Section 1396a(a)(4)(C) of this title (relating to conflict of interest standards).
(B) Section 1396a(a)(25) of this title (relating to third party liability).
(C) Section 1396a(a)(39) of this title (relating to termination of participation of certain providers).
(D) Section 1396a(a)(78) of this title (relating to enrollment of providers participating in State plans providing medical assistance on a fee-for-service basis).
(E) Section 1396a(a)(72) of this title (relating to limiting FQHC contracting for provision of dental services).
(F) Section 1396a(a)(73) of this title (relating to requiring certain States to seek advice from designees of Indian Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations).
(G) Subsections (a)(77) and (kk) of section 1396a of this title (relating to provider and supplier screening, oversight, and reporting requirements) and subsection (a)(83) of section 1396a of this title (relating to searchable directories of the providers described in subsection (mm) of such section).
(H) Section 1396a(a)(88) of this title (relating to address information for enrollees and prevention of simultaneous enrollments).
(I) Section 1396a(e)(13) of this title (relating to the State option to rely on findings from an Express Lane agency to help evaluate a child’s eligibility for medical assistance).
(J) Section 1396a(e)(14) of this title (relating to income determined using modified adjusted gross income and household income).
(K) Paragraphs (5) and (16) of section 1396a(e) of this title (relating to the State option to provide medical assistance consisting of full benefits during pregnancy and throughout the 12-month postpartum period under subchapter XIX),1 if the State provides child health assistance for targeted low-income children who are pregnant or to targeted low-income pregnant women and the State has elected to apply such paragraph (16) with respect to pregnant women under subchapter XIX, the provision of assistance under the State child health plan or waiver for targeted low-income children or targeted low-income pregnant women during pregnancy and the 12-month postpartum period shall be required and not at the option of the State and shall include coverage of all items or services provided to a targeted low-income child or targeted low-income pregnant woman (as applicable) under the State child health plan or waiver).1
(L) Section 1396a(e)(12) of this title (relating to 1 year of continuous eligibility for children), except that a targeted low-income child enrolled under the State child health plan or waiver may be transferred to the Medicaid program under subchapter XIX for the remaining duration of the 12-month continuous eligibility period, if the child becomes eligible for full benefits under subchapter XIX during such period.
(M) Section 1396a(bb) of this title (relating to payment for services provided by Federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics).
(N) Section 1396a(ff) of this title (relating to disregard of certain property for purposes of making eligibility determinations).
(O) Paragraphs (2), (16), and (17) of section 1396b(i) of this title (relating to limitations on payment).
(P) Section 1396b(m)(3) of this title (relating to limitation on payment with respect to managed care).
(Q) Paragraph (4) of section 1396b(v) of this title (relating to optional coverage of categories of lawfully residing immigrant children or pregnant women), but only if the State has elected to apply such paragraph with respect to such category of children or pregnant women under subchapter XIX.
(R) Section 1396b(v)(5) of this title (relating to payments for medical assistance furnished to aliens), except in relation to payments for services provided under section 1397ee(a)(1)(D)(ii) of this title.
(S) Section 1396b(w) of this title (relating to limitations on provider taxes and donations).
(T) Section 1396r–1a of this title (relating to presumptive eligibility for children).
(U) Subsections (a)(2)(C) (relating to Indian enrollment), (d)(5) (relating to contract requirement for managed care entities), (d)(6) (relating to enrollment of providers participating with a managed care entity), and (h) (relating to special rules with respect to Indian enrollees, Indian health care providers, and Indian managed care entities) of section 1396u–2 of this title.
(V) Section 1396w–2 of this title (relating to authorization to receive data directly relevant to eligibility determinations).
(W) Section 1396w–3(b) of this title (relating to coordination with State Exchanges and the State Medicaid agency).
(2) Subchapter XI provisions
(A) Section 1315 of this title (relating to waiver authority).
(B) Section 1316 of this title (relating to administrative and judicial review), but only insofar as consistent with this subchapter.
(C) Section 1320a–3 of this title (relating to disclosure of ownership and related information).
(D) Section 1320a–5 of this title (relating to disclosure of information about certain convicted individuals).
(E) Section 1320a–7a of this title (relating to civil monetary penalties).
(F) Section 1320a–7b(d) of this title (relating to criminal penalties for certain additional charges).
(G) Section 1320b–2 of this title (relating to periods within which claims must be filed).
(f) Limitation of waiver authority
Notwithstanding subsection (e)(2)(A) and section 1315(a) of this title:
(1) The Secretary may not approve a waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project that would allow funds made available under this subchapter to be used to provide child health assistance or other health benefits coverage to a nonpregnant childless adult or a parent (as defined in section 1397kk(c)(2)(A) of this title), who is not pregnant, of a targeted low-income child.
(2) The Secretary may not approve, extend, renew, or amend a waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project with respect to a State after February 4, 2009, that would waive or modify the requirements of section 1397kk of this title.
(g) Use of blended risk pools
(1) In general
Nothing in this subchapter (or any other provision of Federal law) shall be construed as preventing a State from considering children enrolled in a qualified CHIP look-alike program and children enrolled in a State child health plan under this subchapter (or a waiver of such plan) as members of a single risk pool.
(2) Qualified CHIP look-alike program
In this subsection, the term “qualified CHIP look-alike program” means a State program—
(A) under which children who are under the age of 19 and are not eligible to receive medical assistance under subchapter XIX or child health assistance under this subchapter may purchase coverage through the State that provides benefits that are at least identical to the benefits provided under the State child health plan under this subchapter (or a waiver of such plan); and
(B) that is funded exclusively through non-Federal funds, including funds received by the State in the form of premiums for the purchase of such coverage.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XXI, § 2107, as added Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4901(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 565; amended Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title VIII, § 803], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–582; Pub. L. 109–171, title VI, § 6102(a), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 131; Pub. L. 111–3, title I, § 112(a)(2)(A), title II, §§ 203(a)(2), (d)(2), 214(b), title V, §§ 501(d)(2), 503(a)(1), Feb. 4, 2009, 123 Stat. 33, 46, 49, 57, 87, 89; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title V, § 5006(b)(2), (d)(2), (e)(2)(B), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 506, 510; Pub. L. 111–148, title II, § 2101(d)(2), (e), title VI, § 6401(c), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 287, 753; Pub. L. 111–152, title I, § 1004(b)(2)(B), Mar. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 1034; Pub. L. 111–309, title II, § 205(f)(2), Dec. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3291; Pub. L. 114–255, div. A, title V, § 5005(c)(1), Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1194; Pub. L. 115–120, div. C, § 3002(g)(1), Jan. 22, 2018, 132 Stat. 35; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title XII, § 53102(d)(1), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 299; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9822(a)(1), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 220; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title V, §§ 5112(b), 5123(c), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5940, 5946; Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, §§ 71103(b)(1), 71109(b), July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 293, 297.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Codification
text: Amendment by section 501(d)(2) of Pub. L. 111–3 executed after amendment by section 214(b) of Pub. L. 111–3 to reflect the probable intent of Congress, notwithstanding section 501(d)(3) of Pub. L. 111–3, set out as an Effective Date of 2009 Amendment note under section 1396a of this title.
heading: Amendments
text: 2025—Subsec. (e)(1)(H) to (Q). Pub. L. 119–21, § 71103(b)(1), added subpar. (H) and redesignated former subpars. (H) to (P) as (I) to (Q), respectively. Former subpar. (Q) redesignated (R), then (S).
Subsec. (e)(1)(R) to (W). Pub. L. 119–21, §§ 71103(b)(1)(A), 71109(b), added subpar. (R) and redesignated former subpars. (Q) to (U) as (R) to (V), respectively, then (S) to (W), respectively.
2022—Subsec. (e)(1)(G). Pub. L. 117–328, § 5123(c), inserted “and subsection (a)(83) of section 1396a of this title (relating to searchable directories of the providers described in subsection (mm) of such section)” before period at end.
Subsec. (e)(1)(K) to (U). Pub. L. 117–328, § 5112(b), added subpar. (K) and redesignated former subpars. (K) to (T) as (L) to (U), respectively.
2021—Subsec. (e)(1)(J) to (T). Pub. L. 117–2 added subpar. (J) and redesignated former subpars. (J) to (S) as (K) to (T), respectively.
2018—Subsec. (e)(1)(B) to (S). Pub. L. 115–123 added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpars. (B) to (R) as (C) to (S), respectively.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–120 added subsec. (g).
2016—Subsec. (e)(1)(B) to (R). Pub. L. 114–255 added subpars. (B), (C), and (L), redesignated former subpars. (B) to (I) as (D) to (K) and (J) to (O) as (M) to (R), respectively, and in subpar. (P), as so redesignated, substituted “(a)(2)(C) (relating to Indian enrollment), (d)(5) (relating to contract requirement for managed care entities), (d)(6) (relating to enrollment of providers participating with a managed care entity), and (h) (relating to special rules with respect to Indian enrollees, Indian health care providers, and Indian managed care entities)” for “(a)(2)(C) and (h)”.
2010—Subsec. (e)(1)(D). Pub. L. 111–309, § 205(f)(2)(A), substituted “(kk)” for “(ii)”.
Pub. L. 111–148, § 6401(c)(2), added subpar. (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).
Subsec. (e)(1)(E). Pub. L. 111–148, § 6401(c)(1), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 2101(d)(2)(B), added subpar. (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).
Subsec. (e)(1)(F). Pub. L. 111–152, which directed the substitution of “modified adjusted gross income” for “modified gross income” in subpar. (E), as added by section 2101(d)(2) of Pub. L. 111–148, was executed to subpar. (F) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the redesignation of subpar. (E) as (F) by Pub. L. 111–148, § 6401(c)(1). See below.
Pub. L. 111–148, § 6401(c)(1), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F). Former subpar. (F) redesignated (G).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 2101(d)(2)(A), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F). Former subpar. (F) redesignated (G).
Subsec. (e)(1)(G) to (M). Pub. L. 111–148, § 6401(c)(1), redesignated subpars. (F) to (L) as (G) to (M), respectively. Former subpar. (M) redesignated (N).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 2101(d)(2)(A), redesignated subpars. (F) to (L) as (G) to (M), respectively.
Subsec. (e)(1)(N). Pub. L. 111–309 redesignated subpar. (N) relating to section 1396w–3 of this title as (O).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 6401(c)(1), redesignated subpar. (M), relating to section 1396w–2 of this title, as (N).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 2101(e), added subpar. (N) relating to section 1396w–3(b) of this title.
Subsec. (e)(1)(O). Pub. L. 111–309 redesignated subpar. (N) relating to section 1396w–3 of this title as (O).
2009—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(e)(2)(B)(ii), rearranged subpars. into alphabetical order.
Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(e)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpar. (D) as (B). Former subpar. (B) redesignated (D).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 203(a)(2), added subpar. (B). Former subpar. (B) redesignated (C).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(e)(2)(B)(iii), added subpar. (C). Former subpar. (C) redesignated (F).
Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(b)(2)(B), added subpar. (C). Former subpar. (C) redesignated (D).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 501(d)(2), added subpar. (C). Former subpar. (C) redesignated (D).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 203(a)(2), redesignated subpar. (B) as (C). Former subpar. (C) redesignated (D).
Subsec. (e)(1)(D). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(e)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpar. (B) as (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (B).
Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(b)(2)(A), redesignated subpar. (C) as (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 503(a)(1), added subpar. (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 501(d)(2), redesignated subpar. (C) as (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 203(a)(2), redesignated subpar. (C) as (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).
Subsec. (e)(1)(E). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(b)(2)(A), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 503(a)(1), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 501(d)(2), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 214(b), added subpar. (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 203(a)(2), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E).
Subsec. (e)(1)(F). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(e)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpar. (C) as (F). Former subpar. (F) redesignated (G).
Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(b)(2)(A), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F). Former subpar. (F) redesignated (G).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 503(a)(1), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F). Former subpar. (F) redesignated (G).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 501(d)(2), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F). Former subpar. (F) redesignated (G).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 214(b), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F). Former subpar. (F) redesignated (G).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 203(d)(2), added subpar. (F).
Subsec. (e)(1)(G). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(e)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpar. (F) as (G). Former subpar. (G) redesignated (I).
Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(b)(2)(A), redesignated subpar. (F) as (G). Former subpar. (G) redesignated (H).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 503(a)(1), redesignated subpar. (F) as (G). Former subpar. (G) redesignated (H).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 501(d)(2), redesignated subpar. (F) as (G). Former subpar. (G) redesignated (H).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 214(b), redesignated subpar. (F) as (G).
Subsec. (e)(1)(H). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(b)(2)(A), redesignated subpar. (G) as (H). Former subpar. (H) redesignated (I).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 503(a)(1), redesignated subpar. (G) as (H). Former subpar. (H) redesignated (I).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 501(d)(2), redesignated subpar. (G) as (H).
Subsec. (e)(1)(I). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(e)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpar. (G) as (I). Former subpar. (I) redesignated (J).
Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(b)(2)(A), redesignated subpar. (H) as (I). Former subpar. (I) redesignated (J).
Pub. L. 111–3, § 503(a)(1), redesignated subpar. (H) as (I).
Subsec. (e)(1)(J). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(e)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpar. (I) as (J). Former subpar. (J) redesignated (K).
Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(d)(2)(B), added subpar. (J).
Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(b)(2)(A), redesignated subpar. (I) as (J).
Subsec. (e)(1)(K). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(e)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpar. (J) as (K). Former subpar. (K) redesignated (L).
Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(d)(2)(A), redesignated subpar. (J) as (K).
Subsec. (e)(1)(L). Pub. L. 111–5, § 5006(e)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpar. (K) as (L).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–3, § 112(a)(2)(A)(i), substituted “section 1315(a) of this title:” for “section 1315(a) of this title, the Secretary” and inserted par. (1) designation and “The Secretary” before “may not approve a waiver,”.
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 111–3, § 112(a)(2)(A)(ii), (iii), inserted “or a parent (as defined in section 1397kk(c)(2)(A) of this title), who is not pregnant, of a targeted low-income child” after “nonpregnant childless adult” and struck out last sentence which read as follows: “For purposes of the preceding sentence, a caretaker relative (as such term is defined for purposes of carrying out section 1396u–1 of this title) shall not be considered a childless adult.”
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 111–3, § 112(a)(2)(A)(iv), added par. (2).
2006—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–171 added subsec. (f).
2000—Subsec. (e)(1)(D). Pub. L. 106–554 added subpar. (D).
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2022 Amendment
text: Amendment by section 5112(b) of Pub. L. 117–328 effective on the first day of the first fiscal quarter that begins on or after the date that is 1 year after Dec. 29, 2022, see section 5112(c) of Pub. L. 117–328, set out as a note under section 1396a of this title.
Amendment by section 5123(c) of Pub. L. 117–328 effective July 1, 2025, see section 5123(d) of Pub. L. 117–328, set out as a note under section 1396a of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9822(b), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 221, as amended by Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title V, § 5113, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5940, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section], shall apply with respect to State elections made under paragraph (16) of section 1902(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)), as added by section 9812(a) of subtitle J of this title [subtitle J (§§ 9811–9819) of title IX of Pub. L. 117–2], beginning on the 1st day of the 1st fiscal year quarter that begins one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 11, 2021].”
[Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title V, § 5113, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5940, provided in part that the amendment made by section 5113 to section 9822(b) of Pub. L. 117–2, set out above, is effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 117–2.]
heading: Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 111–5 effective July 1, 2009, see section 5006(f) of Pub. L. 111–5, set out as a note under section 1396a of this title.
Except as otherwise provided, amendment by Pub. L. 111–3 effective Apr. 1, 2009, and applicable to child health assistance and medical assistance provided on or after that date, see section 3 of Pub. L. 111–3, set out as a note under section 1396 of this title.
Amendment by section 203(a)(2), (d)(2) of Pub. L. 111–3 effective Feb. 4, 2009, see section 203(f) of Pub. L. 111–3, set out as a note under section 1396a of this title.
Amendment by section 501(d)(2) of Pub. L. 111–3 effective Jan. 1, 2009, see section 501(d)(3) of Pub. L. 111–3, set out as a note under section 1396a of this title.
Pub. L. 111–3, title V, § 503(a)(2), Feb. 4, 2009, 123 Stat. 89, provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to services provided on or after October 1, 2009.”
heading: Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 109–171, title VI, § 6102(d), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 132, provided that: “This section [amending this section and section 1397ee of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note below] and the amendments made by this section shall take effect as if enacted on October 1, 2005, and shall apply to any waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project that is approved on or after that date.”
heading: Construction of 2016 Amendment
text: Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 114–255 to be construed as changing or limiting the appeal rights of providers or the process for appeals of States under the Social Security Act, see section 5005(d) of Pub. L. 114–255, set out as a note under section 1396a of this title.
heading: Construction of 2006 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 109–171, title VI, § 6102(c), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 131, as amended by Pub. L. 111–3, title I, § 112(a)(2)(B), Feb. 4, 2009, 123 Stat. 33, provided that:
“Subject to section 2111 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1397kk], as added by section 112 of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 [Pub. L. 111–3], nothing in this section [amending this section and section 1397ee of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note above] or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to—
“(1) authorize the waiver of any provision of title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq., 1397aa et seq.) that is not otherwise authorized to be waived under such titles or under title XI of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) as of the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 8, 2006];
“(2) imply congressional approval of any waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project affecting funds made available under the State children’s health insurance program under title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et. seq.) or any amendment to such a waiver or project that has been approved as of such date of enactment; or
“(3) apply to any waiver, experimental, pilot, or demonstration project that would allow funds made available under title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.) to be used to provide child health assistance or other health benefits coverage to a nonpregnant childless adult that is approved before the date of enactment of this Act or to any extension, renewal, or amendment of such a waiver or project that is approved on or after such date of enactment.”