ALBANY - Governor David Paterson Friday reminded New York families that effective Monday, September 1, all of New York’s uninsured children will be eligible for moderate or no-cost health care coverage, thanks to a recent expansion of Child Health Plus – New York State’s health insurance program for children.

New York State increased the income eligibility threshold for Child Health Plus from 250 to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. This means that a child in a family of three whose income exceeded $44,000 would not have been able to participate in the program prior to the expansion but now, if that family’s income is no greater than $70,000, the child will be eligible for coverage at no cost or at a reduced monthly premium. In addition, any family above 400 percent of the federal poverty level can buy into the program at the full monthly premium.

In the 2008-09 Enacted Budget, Governor Paterson worked with the Legislature to fill the void left by the Bush Administration, fully covering the federal funding share of the expansion and delivering increased access to quality health care for the State's children.

With the expansion, all of New York’s uninsured children and teens are eligible for coverage through Child Health Plus or Medicaid. The State has contracted with community organizations in neighborhoods across New York to facilitate enrollment into Child Health Plus. The program is for children who are uninsured. Families who drop their employer coverage will be required to wait six months before they can obtain coverage through Child Health Plus.