States, feds split on kids' health insurance

washington-as congress edges closer to renewing a health insurance program for children, state officials have made it clear that they have a much different vision for the program's future than the bush administration.

governors and medicaid directors have put their weight behind a bill that would more than triple funding for the program-from about $5 billion a year to more than $15 billion. this would allow them to reach out to 5.5 million uninsured children presumed eligible for government health insurance based on their incomes. plus, they could continue to provide health insurance to populations whose incomes are above the threshold the program was originally designed to serve.

the bush administration would like to return the program to its original roots-children whose families earn too much for medicaid but not more than twice the poverty level. today, that threshold is $41,300 for a family of four.

more than a dozen states now allow participation by children whose family income is above that threshold.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-06-18-kidsinsurance_n.htm?csp=34