Ohio budget woes could halt proposed SCHIP expansion

Although a federal decision this week means Ohio can expand Medicaid coverage to nearly 50,000 children, state officials say expansion efforts may be difficult given the state’s budget crisis (Source: “Ohio's budget woes could stall Medicaid expansion for kids,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, Dec. 10, 2008).

After attempting to win federal approval for the SCHIP expansion for more than a year, the state was given the go-ahead this week. The expansion of eligibility to those making 300 percent of the federal poverty level was originally expected to cover 30,000 children. The recent economic downturn would mean as many as 50,000 children would become eligible if the plan is adopted.