SCHIP Coverage Critical to Dental Access, According to New Study

Congress’ enactment of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in 1997 was the most significant expansion of health care coverage since the creation of Medicaid in 1965. SCHIP was constructed as a federal-state partnership that targets children in families with incomes above Medicaid eligibility that do not have private coverage. Dental care, although currently covered by all states, was not a mandated benefit in SCHIP. However, a study published in the October issue of Pediatricsi found that access to dental care appears to have nationally improved for children with family incomes consistent with SCHIP eligibility during the program’s first six years.