Expand Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Final Outcome

HB 2872 was introduced on March 4, 2005 and was referred to the Health and Human Resources Committee, then Finance. The bill died in committee.

Thanks to all of you who wrote letters of support for this initiative.

The Issue

House Bill 2872 would expand health coverage to uninsured children by raising the income limits for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to 300% of the federal poverty level. The bill was passed by the House Health and Human Resources Committee and is pending in House Finance.

Our Position

Mountain State Centers for Independent Living champions the Legislative Action Team on Children and Families and supports House Bill 2872.

The bill would benefit the children of working parents who do not have family health coverage through their employer and whose incomes exceed the current limits for CHIP. Families would contribute to the cost of the health plan through affordable monthly premiums.

The expansion to 300% of the federal poverty level would benefit an estimated 4,400 children. The cost to the state is projected at less than $1 million in FY 2006 and at $2.6 million when the expansion is fully implemented in 2009. If at any time the CHIP Advisory Board finds that program expenses exceed available revenues, it can limit enrollment to control costs.

Action Needed

Contact your Delegates and urge them to support House Bill 2872 to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program, and especially urge members of the House Finance Committee to pass the bill out as soon as Possible.

By Phone: Please call 1-877-565-3447 to leave a message or be transferred to your legislator's office. You can leave messages after hours that will be delivered to your legislators the next day. Members of the House Finance Committee include: Michaels, Doyle, Hall, Anderson, Ashley, Boggs, Border, Browning, Cann, Carmichael, Evans, Frederick, Houston, Kominar, Leach, Palumbo, Proudfoot, Stalnaker, Susman, Thompson, Varner, Wakim, H. K. White, Gil White and Williams.

By Email: Locate the Delegate's email at contact information for Delegates.

A Text Message/Sample Letter

(Source: The WV Legislative Action Team on Children and Families)

Please support House Bill 2872, which would expand health coverage to uninsured children by raising the income limits for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to 300% of the federal poverty level. The bill was passed by the House Health and Human Resources Committee and is pending in House Finance.

The bill would benefit the children of working parents who do not have family health coverage through their employer and whose incomes exceed the current eligibility limits for CHIP. Families would contribute to the cost of the health plan through affordable monthly premiums.

The expansion to 300% of the federal poverty level will benefit an estimated 4,400 children. The cost to the state is projected at less than $1 million in FY 2006 and at $2.6 million when the expansion is fully implemented in 2009. If at any time the CHIP Advisory Board finds that program expenses exceed available revenues, it can limit enrollment to control costs.

Thank you for your consideration of this important legislation.

(The WV Legislative Action Team on Children and Families includes the National Association of Social Workers - WV Chapter, WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence, WV Fair Shake Network, WV Healthy Kids and Families Coalition, WV KIDS COUNT Fund, and WV Welfare Reform Coalition. The online Legislative Action Center is managed by Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia.)

Updated: April 24, 2005