Washington – A long-term extension approved this week for a federal children's health insurance program may force Alabama to freeze or reduce enrollment in the state's ALL Kids initiative.
The head of the state effort says it's too early to know for sure. Cathy Caldwell says there too much uncertainty.
President Bush blocked a broad expansion proposed by Democrats. Congress then cleared legislation to extend the State Children's Health Insurance Program at current funding levels through the end of March 2009.
The extension includes extra money for states facing shortfalls under the current program, and lawmakers have pledged it will provide at least enough money to maintain existing enrollments.
The program is intended to cover children in working families who don't earn enough to afford private insurance but don't have incomes low enough to be eligible for Medicaid.
ALL Kids is Alabama's version of the program. It has not faced a shortfall yet.
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