The federal children’s health insurance program helps keep more than 620,000 Kentucky children insured.
A new report finds that CHIP, which turns 25 this week, is a lifeline for families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but don’t have access to employer-sponsored coverage.
Emily Beauregard, CEO of Kentucky Voices for HealthHe said an emergency provision enacted during the pandemic has meant that children dependent on CHIP have quality health care, regardless of changes in their parents’ jobs or income.
“When your income changes from month to month, or if it’s seasonal because maybe you’re a farmer,” he said, “then you’re more likely to have times when your income is over the limit, and then other times when you’re below the limit.
Beauregard said the public health emergency declaration will expire in October. The federal government has said it will give states at least 60 days’ notice of the final deadline, so agencies can begin contacting families to ensure children don’t go without coverage.
Beauregard added that the state could make continued eligibility permanent, which she believes would reduce costs in the future.
“It leads to healthier children, but it’s also less expensive administratively,” he said. “And over time, kids are healthier because they have coverage all the time.”
Beauregard noted that CHIP covers more than half of the nation’s black and Hispanic children, and said raising awareness of upcoming changes and re-registration in these populations is essential, in addition to ensuring lasting federal funding for the program.
“These are all ways we can make sure kids are as healthy as possible,” he said.
Research shows that children who have CHIP coverage see their doctor and dentist regularly and are less likely to visit an emergency room.
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Congress is considering a major legislative package that could affect not only climate change investments but also the affordability of health care. Health care advocates say it’s not coming too soon.
One study found that from 1970 to 2020, the average American’s health care costs increased from $1,875 a year to more than $12,500.
Jim Manley, member of the board of Consumers for Quality Care, said the main concern is that out-of-pocket costs are too high, according to the group’s new survey. He says Arizonans agree that health care costs are squeezing them out.
“High deductibles, rising out-of-pocket costs and unpaid medical bills are taking a toll on America’s health care consumers,” he said, “with 75% of Arizona voters agreeing that health care costs medical care are increasing more than other things you need.”
The survey, conducted by Impact Research and Lake Research Partnersfound that three in four American voters believe insurance companies are “cutting and diluting” their household budgets with out-of-pocket costs.
The US Senate could vote on the package, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, by the end of the week.
Last week, Sen. Joe Manchin, DW.Va., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., agreed to a bill that allows Medicare to negotiate some drug prices and caps drug spending. prescription drug pocket.
Scottsdale City Councilmember Tammy Caputi said medical debt is forcing many Arizonans, including her constituents, to cut back on food and other essentials. She said some even lose their homes or file for bankruptcy.
“The general consensus,” he said, “is that Congress should cap insurance deductibles, prescription copays, and all those other out-of-pocket maximums, to the point where people don’t need to skip their care and go into health care.” “. debt.”
Since no Republicans plan to vote for the bill, Senate Democrats say they will pass it under the budget conciliation process, but must get all 50 members of their caucus and the vice president to vote yes to do so. Approval could hinge on Sen. Kirsten Sinema, D-Arizona, who has yet to reveal how she plans to vote.
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Congress is considering a major package of bills that could affect not only investments in the fight against climate change, but also the affordability of health care.
Jim Manley, member of the board of the organization Consumers for Quality Care, said Americans’ top concern is that out-of-pocket costs are too high, according to recent polls. Manley said this is putting pressure on people in Nevada.
“Nearly three-quarters of Nevadans agree that the cost of health care is rising more than other things they need,” he said, “and 61% of voters say they have skipped or delayed getting the medical care they need because they’re worried they’ll have to pay out of pocket.
Consumers for Quality Care Manager the survey, from Impact Research and The Mellman Group. Three-quarters of those who responded to the survey also said they feel insurers unfairly charge them small amounts, over and over again, for minor services.
Manley said he appreciates that Congress is discussing health care right now, but believes certain provisions need to be guaranteed, such as limits on what people have to pay for insulin. She said that was in an earlier version of the bill that the Senate is currently considering. Over the years, Manley said, insurance companies have passed costs on to patients through higher deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs.
“We urge Congress, as this reconciliation bill is finalized, to cap insurance deductibles, prescription copays and other out-of-pocket maximums at such a low level that people do not need to skip care and/or go into debt. medical,” he said.
Negotiations on a reconciliation package in the Senate, known as the Inflation Reduction Law, are in progress. More recently, Sen. Joe Manchin, DW.Va., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., agreed to a bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap drug spending. out-of-pocket prescription drugs to $2,000 per year.
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Congress is considering a major package of bills that could affect not only investments in the fight against climate change, but also the affordability of health care.
Jim Manley, member of the board of the organization Consumers for Quality Caresaid the number one concern for Americans is that out-of-pocket costs are too high, according to recent polls. He said Montanans agree that health care spending is squeezing them out.
“High deductibles, rising out-of-pocket costs and unpaid medical bills are taking a toll on America’s health care consumers,” he said, “with nearly 70% of people in Montana agreeing that costs of health care are increasing more than other things they need.
Consumers for Quality Care commissioned the survey from Impact Research and Lake Research Partners. It also found that 61% of people in the state say they have skipped or delayed getting the health care they need because they are worried about how much they would have to pay out of pocket.
Manley said he appreciates that Congress is discussing health care right now, but believes certain provisions need to be guaranteed, such as limits on what people have to pay for insulin. She said that he was on an earlier version of the bill that the Senate is currently considering. Over the years, Manley said, insurance companies have passed costs on to patients through higher deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs.
“We urge Congress, as this reconciliation bill is finalized, to cap insurance deductibles, prescription copays and other out-of-pocket maximums at a level that is low enough that people don’t have to skip the care and/or go to medical care. debt,” he said.
Negotiations on a reconciliation package in the Senate, known as the Inflation Reduction Law, are in progress. More recently, Sen. Joe Manchin, DW.Va., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., agreed to a bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap drug spending. out-of-pocket prescription drugs to $2,000 per year.
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