Keeping New Mexico K i d s Healthy
- Republicans wrote and passed SCHIP in 1998
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), known in New Mexico as NewMexiKids, is a Republican-written, bi-partisan program that began in Congress in 1997. It covers six million kids whose parents work but cannot afford insurance on their own. In our state, NewMexiKids covers 19,000 kids. The new legislation will help New Mexico cover an additional 11,000 kids who currently have no health coverage.
- SCHIP needs to be reauthorized this year
NewMexikids (SCHIP) expired on September 30 this year. It needs to be reauthorized to continue coverage for kids already on the program. Because Congress has been unable to agree on a compromise, the program is operating on a temporary basis.
Congresswoman Heather Wilson wants to keep New Mexico kids healthy, and she`s leading an effort among centrist Members of Congress to fight for a federally-funded children`s health program that has expanded health insurance for kids. Nearly 19,000 kids in New Mexico are covered by this program.
If your kids need health insurance, here`s how you can apply:
Call Toll Free:
1-888-997-2583
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New MexiKids Pays for: |
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To apply, you need: |
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- Regular Check-ups
- Hospital Care
- Prescriptions and Glasses
- Vision and Hearing exams |
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- Proof of past 4 weeks' income
- Kids' Social Security Numbers
- Proof of other health insurance
you may already have
- Proof of child's age |
New Mexikids
NO COST OR LOW COST HEALTH COVERAGE FOR KIDS
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"In New Mexico the S-CHIP program has alowed 19,000 kids each year to have health coverage. It's an important program that keeps kids healthy, and we need to support it."  | You can apply for New MexiKids at most clinics, hospitals, primary care providers and schools. You can also visit your local Income Support Division office. New Mexico is one of only a few states that allows for presumptive eligibility, a process that allows the individual processing the application to presume that the family will qualify for New MexiKids, based upon their statements, and begin health coverage immediately while the application is processed.
Once your child is formally approved for this health coverage, he or she is eligible for 12 months of coverage, regardless of any changes in family income. If your child already has health insurance do not drop it. In some instances New MexiKids may be able to supplement the coverage you already have. If you drop your child`s health insurance you may not be eligible for New MexiKids and you may not be able to resume coverage through your present insurance company.
SCHIP BACKGROUND
Congress created Title XXI, the State Children`s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to address the growing problem of uninsured children. SCHIP was designed as a federal/state partnership, similar to Medicaid, with the goal of expanding health insurance to children whose families earn too much money to be eligible for Medicaid, but not enough money to purchase private insurance.
The law allows states to set up their SCHIP programs in one of three ways: through Medicaid, via a separate state program or through a combination of both. All 50 states participate in the SCHIP program. For the most part, SCHIP covers children under age 19 in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
SCHIP is a block grant program, not an entitlement, meaning funds for the program are capped at $40 billion over 10 years. Under SCHIP, states receive more federal matching dollars for SCHIP expenditures than under Medicaid. States have considerable flexibility in the implementation of their SCHIP programs. There are some federal guidelines, but states are given flexibility in the design of benefits, eligibility determination, service delivery and other aspects of their SCHIP programs.
NEW MEXICO BACKGROUND
In New Mexico, the state children`s health insurance program is incorporated into Medicaid and the federal funds are used to cover kids in Medicaid between 185% and 235% of the Federal Poverty Limit.
New Mexico received $52 million in federal SCHIP funds for FY 2007.
The projected need for funding for FY 2007 in New Mexico is $60.7 million.
Unused program funds can be carried over for three years and New Mexico has $132.6 million in funding available this year because of prior year carry-over.
Read more about Heather's work to provide health coverage for New Mexico Kids:
Press Release
Heather's Postcard
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