What's Happening
June 2008
(6/30/08)
State Update: Rhode Island Governor Signs Budget with Potentially Broad Implications
Governor Carcieri (R) signed a $6.89 billion FY 09 budget on June 26th, addressing the deficit through $85 million in cuts to state spending. The legislation reduces the income eligibility level for adults in RIte Care from 185% FPL to 175% FPL, eliminating coverage for 1,000 adults. Also effective October 1, 2008, are increased premiums in RIte Care for families between 150% and 250% FPL (to a full 5% of income) and new premiums for families with income between 133% and 150% FPL.In addition, the budget also allows the Governor to pursue a global waiver for the state's Medicaid program, which would give the state broad authority to restructure Medicaid in exchange for capping program spending for the next five years. The Assembly, however, could block any proposed changes but only if it convenes a special session.
• Assembly Approves 2009 State Budget Bill, Press Release, June 19, 2008
• House Passes $6.89-Billion State Budget, The Providence Journal, June 19, 2008
(6/23/08)
State Update: BadgerCare Plus Reaches More Eligible but Unenrolled
The state of Wisconsin has enrolled more than 75,500 beneficiaries in BadgerCare Plus since February. The majority of these new enrollees are low-income families, who were eligible prior to the expansion. The state believes the biggest reason for the successful outreach has been the basic message that all uninsured kids are eligible.• BadgerCare Swells Post-Expansion: Most New Enrollees Would Have Qualified Under Former Income Limits, LaCrosse Tribune, June 22, 2008
• BadgerCare Plus Enrollment Data
(6/23/08)
State Update: 1,217 Sign Up for Illinois All Kids in
One Day
The state exceeded the goal of the 1,000 Healthy Kids & Families
campaign on Saturday. Around 400 volunteers at more than 40 locations
in the Chicago area assisted in the enrollment drive, processing 1,217
applications. The event was sponsored by Resurrection Health Care and
the Chicago Sun-Times. • 1,217 Sign Up for All Kids Health Insurance, Chicago Sun-Times, June 23, 2008
(6/20/08)
State Update: Kansas Reports $1 Million Spent on Citizenship Documentation
20,000 eligible residents lost their health insurance because of federal rules implemented July 1, 2006, that require Medicaid beneficiaries to provide proof of citizenship. About half of those have reenrollled, with only one person determined ineligible because of citizenship status. The state was forced to hire additional personnel, as the policy resulted in a backlog of applications.• "Failed" Federal Policy Costs $1M: State Taxpayers Fund New Anti-Illegal Immigration Checks, Lawrence Journal World & News, June 19, 2008
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