After Congress failed to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), known as KidsCare in Arizona, state lawmakers took the first steps to preserve the program if federal dollars are scaled back.
The House bill would repeal a provision in an earlier law that restored the KidsCare program only if Washington picks up the entire cost. This bill would require the head of the state's Medicaid program to inform the Legislature of any shortfall, giving lawmakers the option of keeping the program in place using state dollars.
While there are indications Congress will come through with full funding, a trigger in Arizona law, would shut down new enrollment starting in 2020 if fed funding drops below 100 percent.
“So what this bill does is say, 'We're not going to let the feds decide if and when we freeze KidsCare. We're going to make the decision here based on your appropriation process," said Dana Naimark with the president of the Children's Action Alliance.
At last count there were more than 24,000 children enrolled. The bill now goes to the full House.