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Montana Measure to Expand SCHIP and Medicaid Eligibility to Be Included on November Ballot [6/24/2008]

Montana State Auditor John Morrison announced The Healthy Montana Kids Plan Act 2008 (Initiative I - 155) received enough signatures to be placed on the November ballot.  Supporters of the measure say it could provide coverage for 30,000 of the approximately 37,000 kids without insurance in Montana.

I - 155 would increase the income ceiling for CHIP eligibility to 250 percent of the federal poverty level, or $53,000 for a family of four.  The program currently covers about 16,600 children, at an income-eligibility ceiling of 175 percent of the poverty level.

I - 155 also increases the income ceiling for Medicaid eligibility and will help pay the costs of adding kids to their parents' health insurance policy - if the family falls under the income ceiling.

Finally, I - 155 requires the state to launch an aggressive, coordinated campaign to sign-up eligible children for coverage using, schools, hospitals, public agencies, youth sports programs and other entities.

Complete Text of I - 155

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