Uninsured Kids in Tom Green County

Health Affairs reported 5 million children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP but not enrolled. Nearly 40% are in three states, Texas, California and Florida.

The number of kids with CHIP in Tom Green County are as follows:

2002-2,593
2003-2,580
2004-1,742
2005-1,383
2006-1,356
2007-1,346
2008-1,914
2009-1,899
2010-2,017

The high numbers early in the program were due to low premiums, good coverage benefits and a coordinated roll out/sign up effort. The community-wide sign up was coordinated by San Angelo's Health Access Coalition, a collaborative of providers, government, employers, faith groups, school systems and interested citizens.

Coverage dropped when the state increased cost sharing for premiums and co-pays. The Texas legislature eventually addressed affordability, causing enrollment to rise again, although not to prior levels.

The state legislature faces huge budget pressures. Based on other states, Texas CHIP likely will be impacted. How might that impact quality of life?