...enough to allow the program to insure 33,000 more children.
Health and Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the increase in funding, part of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA). Under the federal act, New Jersey's allotment will be increased from $102 million to $505 million, a 400 percent increase, according to the HHS press statement.
Here are some more numbers on the success of the program thus far and the need that still exists:
The children's health program in New Jersey is called NJ FamilyCare, and it covers children in families with up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level, or $77,175 for a family of four. Families pay premiums based on their income.
During fiscal year 2008, more than 151,000 children were enrolled in the CHIP program in NJ.
In April, Corzine announced an "Express Lane Application" to streamline the application process. New Jersey has identified nearly 280,000 households with 450,000 children who have reported that they do not have health insurance coverage.
Here is video of the Governor's visit with Sibelius:
