CROSSING THE FINISH LINE TOGETHER. SCORING A WIN FOR EVERY COLORADO CHILD

Since the Fall of 2006, All Kids Covered has worked with policymakers and key leadership organizations, service providers and other stakeholders to make Colorado’s public health insurance programs work better for kids and families.

2009 Victories

House Bill 1020 - Medical Program Re-enrollment

• Establishes a process for telephone and online re-enrollment into Medicaid and CHP+.

• Ensures that eligible children continue to receive quality care.

House Bill 1293 - Health Coverage For Kids

• [PRESS RELEASE] (April 21, 2009): Governor Ritter and the Colorado General Assembly Score a Win for Colorado Kids.

• Ensures uninterrupted access to services for kids by providing 12 months of continuous eligibility for children enrolled in Medicaid.

• Provides more families with access to public health coverage by increasing eligibility for children in CHP+ from 205% to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level and increasing eligibility for parents in Medicaid from 60% to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level.

House Bill 1353 - Coverage for Moms and Kids

• Provides benefits under Medicaid and CHP+ to pregnant women and children who are legal immigrants.

• Waives the 5-year waiting period for such services.

Senate Bill 228 – Flexibility of State Revenues (eliminate 6%)

• Repeals an outdated state budget formula known as Arveschoug-Bird.

• More than doubles the state's reserve requirement as a cushion against future economic downturns.
   

2008 Victories

Senate Bill 160 - Health Coverage Expansion for Children

• Expands health insurance coverage for uninsured children through the Child Health Plan Plus program (CHP+) by increasing eligibility from 205% to 225% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Senate Bill 161 -Child Enrollment for Health Programs

• Reduces barriers to enrollment in Medicaid and CHP+ by eliminating the requirements for families to submit paycheck stubs; instead allows the State to verify a family’s income using data that is already available.

• Allows for easy re-enrollment of children at the end of their eligibility period, thus avoiding interruption in coverage.

2007 Victories

Senate Bill 130 - Medical Home for Colorado Children

• Declares that a “medical home” is important for children. A medical home is a concept, rather than physical location that ensures a child has coordinated and comprehensive access to medical care, mental health care and oral health care.

• Directs the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to implement standards and systems to increase the number of children in Medicaid and CHP+ programs with a medical home.

Senate Bill 211 - Continuity of Care for Colorado Kids

• Establishes presumptive eligibility for children applying for Medicaid or CHP+ (allows coverage of children while they are completing the application).

• Requires an annual report on quality, access, and health outcomes.

• Allows for continuous enrollment for CHP+ kids moving to Medicaid.

• Decreases barriers for enrollment in public programs by clarifying the identity documentation required for pregnant women and 18-19 year olds applying for CHP+.