The devil may be in the details: how the characteristics of SCHIP programs affect take-up.
In this paper, we explore whether the specific design of a state's program has contributed to its success in meeting two objectives of the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): increasing the health insurance coverage of children in lower income families and doing so with a minimum reduction in their private health insurance coverage (crowd-out). In our analysis, we use two years of Current Population Survey data, 2000 and 2001, matched with detailed data on state programs. We focus on two populations: the eligible population of children, broadly defined--those living in families with incomes below 300 percent of the federal poverty line (FPL)--and a narrower group of children, those who we estimate are eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP. Unique state program characteristics in the analysis include whether the state plan covers families; whether the state uses presumptive eligibility; the number of months without private coverage that are required for eligibility; whether there is an asset test; whether a face-to-face interview is required; and specific outreach activities. Our results provide evidence that state program characteristics are significant determinants of program success.
Wolfe
Barbara
B
University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
Scrivner
Scott
S
D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003710:Demography; D004608:Eligibility Determination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006078:Government Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008484:Medicaid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011203:Poverty; D017149:Private Sector; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017150:Public Sector; D013219:State Government; D014481:United States