Policy Issues & Resources: SCHIP
The SCHIP program was scheduled to expire March 2009 but was reauthorized by the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) on February 4, 2009 and is now Public Law No 111-3. CHIPRA includes mental health and addiction parity. However, the law does not yet mandate that mental health and addiction treatment be provided; it only requires that if such services are provided they must be at parity with other surgical medical benefits. The law will be paid for by increasing the federal tax on cigarettes by $.61/package. The National Council will continue to monitor the implementation of CHIPRA.
Recent News I Official Letters I State Activities I Additional Resources
Recent News
- CHIPRA Grant Solicitation for Outreach and Enrollment
- Nominations Now Being Accepted for the New CHIP Working Group
- CMS Provides Guidelines for Children's Health Insurance Plan Reauthorization Act
Official Letters
- CMS Issues State Health Official (SHO) Letter on the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act
- Senate Letter Requesting Moratorium on CMS Regulations to Cut Funding for School-Based and Rehabilitative Services for Children with Disabilities
State Activities
- Overview of SCHIP Legislation in States
- Report Finds that 60,000 Kentucky Children Eligible for KCHIP Are Not Enrolled in Program
- Report Finds That Bush Administration SCHIP Directive Would Affect Enrollment in New Jersey
Additional Resources
- National Council's updated Fact Sheet on SCHIP Reauthorization
- National Council Fact Sheet on SCHIP Reauthorization
- AHRQ Report Analyzes Whether SCHIP Enrollees Remain Insured
- CMS Letter Clarifying 2007 SCHIP Directive
- CMS Letter to State Health Officials, August 2007
- Kaiser Family Foundation Fact Sheet on History Behind SCHIP Reauthorization
