ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
children’s health insurance;
school outreach
Purpose
Authorizes school districts
to perform outreach and information activities related to the children’s health
insurance program.
Background
In 1998 the Legislature established the children’s health insurance program (CHIP) to provide health care coverage to those children under the age of 19 who are from families with an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Census bureau data has shown that category of uninsured children has increased to 311,000. These children could all be eligible for Medicaid, CHIP or other health care insurance.
As of January 1, 2001, the
outreach activities of AHCCCS and other organizations have resulted in the
approval of 94,573 children for health care coverage; 42,875 have been enrolled
in CHIP and 51,698 children have been approved for Medicaid.
Currently, on request, AHCCCS provides CHIP applications and information to schools. However, A.R.S. § 36-2988 prohibits the administration and contractors from contracting with school districts to perform outreach and information activities relating to CHIP. According to a survey conducted by the AHCCCS administration in 2000, 40 states involve schools in outreach, information and application activities relating to CHIP. Also, according to a study presented to Congress regarding CHIP, the U.S. General Accounting Office stated, “blanketing school-aged children and their families with program information through local school districts is another outreach technique that some states are finding particularly effective.”
The provisions of S.B. 1078 have
no fiscal impact to the state general fund.
Provisions
1. Authorizes school districts to perform outreach and information activities related to the children’s health insurance program.
2. Makes a conforming change.
3. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 16, 2001