In late November, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that changes had been approved to Wisconsin's State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).  Under the changes, BadgerCare will now be able to enroll children in families of four under 250 percent of the federal poverty level (approximately $51,625).  Wisconsin had intended to expand enrollment to 300 percent of poverty, but an August 2007 guideline issued by CMS prevented this expansion.  In August CMS expressed its concern that significant expansion of the SCHIP program might lead to "crowd out" at higher income levels.  An estimated 7,600 children are expected to benefit from the new changes.

For more information visit www.cms.gov