ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN HEALTH FORUM: STATES MUST TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAVE MEDICAID COVERAGE

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum issued the following statement on Dec. 18, 2023:

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Today, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services released an instructional bulletin to all states and U.S. territories requiring them to ensure Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligible individuals retain their coverage during the state's Medicaid Unwinding period. CMS released additional data that nine states, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Arkansas, South Dakota, Idaho, New Hampshire, and Montana, account for 60 percent of the decline in children's Medicaid and CHIP enrollment from March through September 2023.

In September, CMS required all states to pause disenrollment and reinstate coverage for certain disenrolled individuals under Medicaid Unwinding. The action resulted in a half-million children and their families regaining Medicaid and CHIP Coverage.

Juliet K. Choi, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), released the following statement:

"Medicaid and CHIP cover more than half of all children in the United States. We applaud CMS for ensuring children have reliable access to necessary health care as we head into winter when influenza and other illnesses need medical attention.

"However, thousands of families and their children continue to face disenrollment, and it is unconscionable that this occurs due to a state's systems and operational issues. These states must take immediate action to ensure children are protected. Today's action by CMS reinforces the Biden administration's policy of ensuring quality care for all families, and states must take action to ensure the well-being of our nation's children."