CHIP: WY, WA Approved, Program Now in All States, Terrs

      HHS Secretary Donna Shalala this week announced the approval of Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) in Wyoming and Washington, completing approval of the program in all 56 United States and territories. The completed nationwide implementation comes two years after President Clinton signed the "historic bipartisan" CHIP legislation into law in 1997. Wyoming could receive more than $7 million and Washington could receive more than $46 million in matching funds under the federal program. Wyoming will use its allocation to create a separate state CHIP program to cover children age 6-19 in families with incomes at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. Washington will use its allocation to create a supplementary CHIP to its existing children's insurance program to cover those under age 19 in families with incomes between 200% and 250% of poverty. Together, all approved plans anticipate providing health insurance to more than 2.6 million currently uninsured children by September 2000. Shalala said, "It's a pleasure to approve these final two CHIP plans and to see this program successfully in operation all across the country. States are making progress in reducing the number of uninsured children in this country. We will continue to work with the states so that all children have access to the basic health care they need." Michael Hash, deputy HCFA administrator in charge of CHIP, added, "It is gratifying to approve these final two CHIP plans. Approval of these final state plans means that every uninsured child in America who needs it, now has a new opportunity to receive free or low-cost health insurance" (release, 9/8).