Health Topics

• Data Development
• Health Care Reform
• Health Information Technology
• Medicaid and CHIP
• Medicare
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse
• Payment Policies and Costs
• Public and Population Health
• Quality and Health System Functioning
• State Health Policy

CHIPRA 10-State Evaluation

The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) 10-State Evaluation is a congressionally mandated evaluation to explore how the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has evolved since its early years. This study addresses a series of policy questions related to the impact of CHIP, the effective operation of CHIP programs, and the inter-relationship between and among CHIP, Medicaid, and employer-sponsored insurance coverage for low-income children. It evaluates the impacts of CHIP on children’s coverage and access to care and assesses new issues that have arisen as a result of CHIPRA and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Evaluation results will guide and strengthen states’ CHIP-related policy decisions, infrastructure development, and program design and monitoring. By determining the effects of specific program initiatives, the evaluation will help CHIP directors assess and manage their programs. The findings will also address broader questions to aid the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Congress in making informed policy decisions to improve health insurance coverage for children. In addition, the evaluation will help define the impact of CHIP, Medicaid, and other public programs on children’s health, and help policymakers decide how CHIP will be integrated into the health care system engendered by the passage of the ACA.

Mathematica’s evaluation is using a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research methods to address questions regarding the structure and impact of CHIP and Medicaid programs for children. It draws on new primary data collection efforts, including surveys with parents of CHIP enrollees and disenrollees in 10 states, parents of Medicaid enrollees in 3 states, a variety of focus groups with parents of children eligible for or enrolled in CHIP, surveys of program administrators in all 50 states, and interviews with key informants and stakeholders in 10 states. The evaluation also utilizes secondary data sources, including the Current Population Survey and state administrative enrollment files, to analyze participation, enrollment, and retention outcomes.