As reauthorization of the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) looms, we examine the programs first decade and identify changes needed so that SCHIP can better serve its target population. We conclude that by many objective standards, SCHIP has been a success, but the challenge will be to maintain and build upon that success. Critical issues include the level and structure of federal funding; the continued problem of uninsurance among low-income children; the lack of information on quality, access, and costs; and whether SCHIP can serve as the foundation for addressing broader health care needs among low-income families.
Health Affairs, Volume 26, Number 2 (2007): 356-369.