HB 150 – Cover All Delaware Children Act

House Bill 150, the Cover All Delaware Children Act, would expand Medicaid coverage to include children who are otherwise not already covered by health insurance, including undocumented children.  The bill, sponsored by Representative Krista Griffith and Senator Sarah McBride, has already been released from committee and could see floor action in the House when the General Assembly reconvenes on June 9.

Many children who are undocumented do not have access to routine or preventative healthcare, including vaccinations and physicals, because they cannot afford the services. Instead they may rely upon emergency room visits when untreated conditions worsen.

Providing publicly funded healthcare coverage to low-income children greatly improves their health and long-term outcomes. Medicaid coverage is linked to fewer chronic conditions, better overall health, improved oral health, and fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

The coverage provided under this bill would be co-extensive with that provided by CHIP and Medicaid, except that it would not include in-patient care at a hospital or other healthcare facility. The bill also directs the State to submit a plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services so that the state can take advantage of the federal CHIP option to include coverage of pregnant women regardless of immigration status.