[Singlemom619]

OBAMA SIGNS TWO MEASURES THAT WILL BENEFIT FOSTER, ADOPTED YOUTH
President Barak Obama signed into law two pieces of legislation this month that will help youths in foster care access health coverage and increase state funding to cover Medicaid and Foster Care/Adoption Assistance programs. Legislation reauthorizing and expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was signed into law (P.L. 111-3) on Feb. 2; it maintains health coverage for children and youth currently enrolled in the program and expands coverage to an additional four million uninsured children. In addition, the measure strengthens the program by guaranteeing dental benefits, mental health parity, grants for outreach and enrollment, and establishes a health quality initiative. SCHIP provides health insurance for children who are ineligible for Medicaid and unable to afford private health insurance; although most children in foster care receive Medicaid benefits, SCHIP helps youth aging out of the system who could otherwise not afford health care.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R.1/P.L. 111-5) economic stimulus package, was signed by the President on Feb. 17; it increases funding for Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants, and Title IV-E foster care, adoption assistance and kinship care funding. Under the package, the federal match to states will increase by 6.2 percent in both Medicaid and Title IV-E, with an additional $2.8 billion for TANF to states contingent on demand. To read the SCHIP legislation, go to: THOMAS (Library of Congress) and search for HR2 in the bill text field. To read the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, go to: Status of Appropriations Legislation for Fiscal Year 2009 - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

[Boulderbabe]

Rock on, Obama! SCHIP and Medicaid are crucial to our kids' well being. I'm so glad he signed the renewal!

[Foster2Adopt]

"Some Leaders are Born and some are Made" Obama!!

[bjhv5]

at least one good thing he has done and about the only thing I agree with!

[AuntT]

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R.1/P.L. 111-5) economic stimulus package, was signed by the President on Feb. 17; it increases funding for Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants, and Title IV-E foster care, adoption assistance and kinship care funding. Under the package, the federal match to states will increase by 6.2 percent in both Medicaid and Title IV-E, with an additional $2.8 billion for TANF to states contingent on demand. To read the SCHIP legislation, go to: THOMAS (Library of Congress) and search for HR2 in the bill text field. To read the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, go to: Status of Appropriations Legislation for Fiscal Year 2009 - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

What does this mean exactly? Is the amount we are reimbursed as foster parents going to go up?

[Singlemom619]

Originally Posted by Boulderbabe

Rock on, Obama! SCHIP and Medicaid are crucial to our kids' well being. I'm so glad he signed the renewal!

Unless I'm reading something wrong this is NOT the adoption tax credit... I want to hear about THAT renewal soon....

[lakin11]

Won't help us.....our state has cut almost every adoption subsidy, no medicaid, nothing. Don't know what the state is doing w/ the money, but it sure isn't giving to the children being adopted from foster care!