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Tracking Federal Health And Mental Health Policy

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The chart below provides a basic overview of the federal programs, as well as status updates on the authorizations of those programs by Congress.

There are a variety of federal programs which address the needs of young children and their families. This section of our web site tracks the federal government programs on health and mental health of very young children.

To track the funding of these programs through the annual Congressional appropriations process, download the PDF below.

 

Federal Law Program Overview Authorization
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP,Title XXI of the Social Security Act) Federal-state program which gives states the option of expanding health coverage to uninsured low-income children. CHIP helps states provide health insurance coverage to uninsured children whose family income is up to 200 percent of the federal poverty line (FPL) (and with federal approval well above that level). State CHIP plans either expand eligibility for children under Medicaid, create a separate children’s health insurance program managed by the state and typically operated by private insurance companies, or provide some combination of the two. Administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at the Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.insurekidsnow.gov/ Authorization expires 2013.
Medicaid (Title XIX of the Social Security Act) Means-tested entitlement program that pays for medical costs of various assistance recipients and specified other groups among the poor. States have different federal matching rates to fund services under their Medicaid program. Administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid at the Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp Permanently authorized.
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Medicaid’s comprehensive and preventive child health program for individuals under age 21. Provides screening services, including comprehensive physical exams, appropriate immunizations, vision, dental, and hearing services, as well as health care to correct problems found in screening. Administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid at the Department of Health and Human Services. Permanently authorized as part of Medicaid.
Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (MCHBG, Title V of the Social Security Act) Provides federal funds to state public health agencies to improve the health of pregnant women, mothers, and children. Grant funds are allocated to states based on a matching formula that requires a $3 state match for every $4 in federal funds. Administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services Maternal and Child Health Bureau. http://mchb.hrsa.gov/ Permanently authorized.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)Community Mental Health Services Block Grants (CMHSBG) CMHSBG is the single largest federal contribution dedicated to improving mental health service systems. It provides financial assistance to states and territories to enable them to carry out the state’s plan for providing comprehensive community mental health services to adults and children. Administered by the Center for Mental Health Services within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at the US Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cms.gov/ Authorization expired in 2007.
SAMHSA Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program This program is the major mental health funding stream explicitly targeted to children. It provides multi-year grants to communities to develop systems of care for children with, and sometimes at-risk for, serious emotional and behavioral disorders. Administered by the Center for Mental Health Services within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Authorization expired in 2007.

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