SCHIP Enrollment Climbs to 5.3 Million Children in 2002

About 5.3 million children who otherwise would not have health coverage were enrolled in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) at some point during fiscal year 2002, representing a 15% increase from the previous year, according to the latest figures from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. That compares with 4.6 million children in fiscal year 2001. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced these findings on February 5, 2003.

The 2002 enrollment statistics, prepared by HHS' Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS), is consistent with a recent HHS statistical report showing a higher percentage of American children had health insurance in the first half of 2002. The report from HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more children rely on public coverage, such as SCHIP, for their health insurance.