Few uninsured Ohio children enroll in new state plan

Since Gov. Ted Strickland signed an executive order in April creating the Children’s Buy-In program, four children have qualified and just two have enrolled in the health insurance program for middle-class families who have children with serious illnesses (Source: “Kids' health plan little-used,” Akron Beacon-Journal/Associated Press, Dec. 26, 2008).

The state budgeted $12.5 million for 2008 and 2009 for the program, anticipating coverage for as many as 5,000 by June. About 12 percent of the 215,000 uninsured Ohio children come from families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.

Medicaid Director John Corlett said the state received applications for 335 children, but most families didn't have enough income to qualify. Other concerns are that families may be deterred from enrolling by a requirement that they pay between $250 and $500 a month per child, depending on the family income and that children must have been without insurance for six months prior to qualifying.