Idaho cuts insurance costs for poor families

Tina Bosen BOS05003@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

Due to the rising costs of health care in the United States, parents know that their children need health coverage. But some simply cannot afford it.

Idaho is no different than any other state.

In July 2004, Idaho Health and Welfare announced the new Child Health Insurance Program, CHIP B, and the children’s access card. CHIP A has existed since 1997 and is for children with disabilities, with special needs or children from low income families.

The new CHIP B is a liaison between the Department of Health and Welfare and parents. It allows parents who cannot afford complete health insurance for their children to pay a $15 a month premium. Parents also may be responsible for co-pays on some services.

Teresa Murdock, the project coordinator for covering kids and families in Eastern Idaho, has seen much success with the CHIP program. She has seen people from the area that are able to live and work here because of CHIP.

“The need is so tremendous and it’s growing all the time,” Murdock said.

Murdock said that there is criticism about people sitting back enjoying welfare. “Not here,” she said. “They want to pay what they can, it’s just that they can’t.”

Along with announcing CHIP B, Idaho also announced a new Child Access Card. The access card links government aid and personal health insurance. Parents choose a health insurance carrier and the government pays $100 a month towards the cost of monthly premium payments, limited to $300 a month per family.

Income is the top criteria for qualification for each program. Students at BYU-Idaho are required to have insurance, but married students with families can look into the program. “There is an asset limit that prevents access to the program, but cars and houses are not included in that,” Murdock said.

Murdock works with people everyday who are affected by the programs. She loves her job because she is able to help families who have reached the end of their ropes. “Everybody wonders what they can do to make a difference,” she said. “Pay attention to legislation and vote to make a difference. That’s how we let the officials know how we feel.”

For information about CHIP and the access card, visit the www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov link to families or children. Applications for the programs are also available online.