Conviction and Compassion Creates the Federal Children's Health Insurance Program.

INTRODUCTION: For a quarter century, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has provided essential health care coverage for children and pregnant women in working families. Established as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, CHIP provides critical coverage for children living in families with incomes falling between eligibility for Medicaid and employment-based coverage. Since its enactment, CHIP has markedly reduced the number of children who were uninsured in 2020 to approximately 3.7 million children (5.0%), an extraordinary 67% reduction. This article traces the history of the federal CHIP legislation based in large part upon the success of Pennsylvania's innovative efforts. METHODS: Review of the literature. Personal Communications. RESULTS: Since its enactment, CHIP has markedly reduced the number of children who were uninsured in 2020 to approximately 3.7 million children (5.0%), an extraordinary 67% reduction. DISCUSSION: This article traces the history of the federal CHIP legislation based in large part upon the success of Pennsylvania's innovative efforts. The authors certify that the material presented in this article was prepared in accord with prevailing ethical principles.

While CHIP has been heralded for greatly improving access to health coverage, little is known about its origins, especially the contribution of the Pennsylvania CHIP, and the history of prior efforts. This article reviews the history of providing insurance coverage for children and recounts the personal involvement of the authors for CHIP's enactment.

Factors associated with Medicaid enrollment for low-income children in the United States.

This study analyzes the 1996-1997 Community Tracking Study Household Survey to identify factors associated with Medicaid enrollment for low-income children and to examine the differences between those enrolled in the Medicaid program and those who were eligible but uninsured. We estimated that 17.4% of Medicaid-eligible children were uninsured. Medicaid eligible children who were younger, African American, with single parents, with AFDC eligible parents, with no parent employed full-time were more likely to be enrolled in the Medicaid program. Children with better health status were less likely to be enrolled in Medicaid. In addition, children whose parents were uninsured were more likely not to be enrolled in Medicaid.