Despite the threat of an economic downturn, some states are moving forward with coverage expansions. In this issue, we highlight three states that have taken different approaches to reduce the number of uninsured in environments with limited public funds. A new program in New Jersey enables families with income above 350 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) to purchase for their uninsured children a plan similar to those offered through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Indiana is implementing a major coverage expansion for low-income adults who are not eligible for traditional Medicaid, using a model that provides personal accounts to enrollees and promotes wellness and individual responsibility. Through a new lottery system, Oregon will enroll thousands of poor, uninsured adults in its Standard Oregon Health Plan, in which enrollment had been frozen since 2004.
