Effective State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Policy Forum Video

For 10 years, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) has provided, through a federal-state partnership, health coverage to millions of low-income children not covered by Medicaid. The program is up for federal reauthorization in the context of state legislative changes. In response, the Promising Practices Network hosted a policy forum of experts on June 5, 2007, to share research and experience on the past performance and future directions of SCHIP. This innovative multimedia project features interactive slide presentations alongside streaming video of the speakers. Two sessions address lessons resulting from a decade of policy research and implementation of SCHIP, including evidence on enrollment and eligibility rates for SCHIP and Medicaid, SCHIP’s impact on uninsured rates and private-insurance enrollment, program spending and cost sharing, health care disparities, state budget shortfalls and their effect on enrollment opportunity, the potential for program expansion after federal reauthorization, the variety of SCHIP structures and eligibility levels in different states, the manner in which federal funds are allocated and redistributed, potential changes to the program with its reauthorization, and the debate surrounding future eligibility requirements. Each session concludes with a question-and-answer discussion between the audience and the panelists.