Statistics

• According to the 2007 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) survey, about 9 million American children don't have medical coverage while 5 to 6 million of them are eligible for government funded insurance. By 2010, the Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured estimated based on the 2008 and 2009 census that 54 percent of American children are privately insured, 31 percent are government insured and 10 percent are uninsured. This also shows that the number of uninsured children dropped from 9 million to approximately 8.1 million.
  
  

Laws

• Title XIX of the Social Security Act says that children of poor and low-income families who lack access to private medical insurance will be covered by Medicaid. Children from low-income families who are not eligible for Medicaid may apply for coverage under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which provides health, dental and vision insurance coverage based on state's implementing guidelines. Signed by President Barack Obama on February 4, 2009, CHIP Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) mandates the revival of the State's Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
  
  

Eligibility

• Children aged 19 and below and pregnant women, including legal immigrants whose incomes are at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line (FDL), who are not eligible for Medicaid are covered by CHIP. Eligibility, however, depends on state rules. On average, families of four with annual income of $44,100 are eligible. Children of families below these income levels are accommodated by Medicaid while others may obtain coverage from the parent's employers or from privately acquired health, dental and vision insurance. Eligibility for both is varied.
  
  

Premium

• CHIP health, dental and vision coverage does not require premiums in 17 states. This is a relief for families who can't afford private medical insurance coverage or those who would rather settle with employer-acquired health insurance coverage. A survey of The Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust shows that the cost of health insurance in the United States increased in 2009. In addition, about 6 percent of employers no longer offer health coverage for employees and their families since 1999 due to its high cost.
  
  

Benefits

• Generally, CHIP and Medicaid pay for most health benefits such as doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Dental and vision services are covered under CHIP depending on state-specific programs. More information can be obtained from the state's insurance administrators. Take note that CHIP and Medicaid children's programs may be called something else on the state level (i.e., California's Healthy Families).