Here's the July 1, 2008 edition of the MEDICAID WATCH. As always, notable and recent state developments and proposals that expand access and eligibility appear in blue, while notable and recent state developments and proposals that cut access and eligibility are printed in red. The last two pages contain a regularly-updated listing of sources and resources on state health coverage, with the most recent items highlighted in yellow.

The MEDICAID WATCH covers state-level Medicaid eligibility and access news, but it also reports on other state health assistance programs, including the State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP); states' non-federally-funded medical assistance programs; State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPAPs); State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs); state-subsidized or -sponsored health insurance programs for limited income persons; state-subsidized high risk health insurance pools (including premium discount programs for the poor); publicly-subsidized safety-net hospitals offering free or discounted care to the poor; publicly-subsidized low income community clinics; and publicly-subsidized mental health and substance abuse treatment programs

We now note, for each state, CHIP levels that are below or above the 200% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) "default" norm. The 2008 FPL, for your convenience, is noted on page 12 of this edition. Other CHIP eligibility details---especially income disregards---appear in "Determining Income Eligibility ...in Children's Medicaid and SCHIP" , a recent Kaiser study which is among the "Items from the Title II Community AIDS National Network" under "what's new" at www.healthlaw.org .

Please do share this with your colleagues and affiliates at the state and local level. We welcome your comments, news items and corrections; email me at tomxix@ix.netcom.com .


Regards,

Thomas P. McCormack
Editor, MEDICAID WATCH
&
Public Benefits Policy Consultant
Title II Community AIDS National Network (TIICANN)
www.tiicann.org
Washington, DC
(202) 479-2543