Wednesday, 27 June 2007
Georgia PeachCare Lifts Enrollment Freeze
Federal funding for State’s Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP) started to run out in early 2007, and many states were forced to slow or stop enrolling children in health insurance coverage.
Georgia’s SCHIP program PeachCare — which provides health insurance for approximately 274,000 children — faced their budget shortfall in March. They were forced to put a freeze on the program, and some 16,000 new applications for coverage went on hold.
Even though federal funding has stopped, Georgia’s Board of Community Health voted unanimously to use emergency funds to extend coverage to 20,000 more children. Starting July 12, PeachCare will temporarily re-open enrollment.
The money for PeachCare’s extension will only last until the end of September, when SCHIP expires completely. U.S. Congress will then have to re-authorize funding for the program.
If SCHIP is re-authorized, PeachCare may be able to expand coverage to more than 295,000 children.
Technorati Tags: Health Insurance Georgia Health Insurance Children's Health Insurance SCHIP
