Healthcare Advocates Pleased With CHIP Proposal

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Even with the looming threat of a presidential veto, the Senate Finance Committee released the Chairman's proposal to renew the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The proposal adds $35 million to the program, which would give health insurance to an additional 4.1 million children.

Karen Crompton, Executive Director of Voices for Utah Children, says the proposal includes several significant upgrades, including the option to cover prenatal care for pregnant women, and funding for outreach and enrollment.

Since CHIP enrollment re-opened in Utah earlier this month, 732 applications for the program have been approved. According to the Utah Department of Health, there is a 49% approval rate of CHIP applications. So far, the review process has covered just over 1,400 of the nearly 8,000 applications.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW