Colorado increases CHIP numbers for children's health care

NEW YORK Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law 11 bills concerning reform of health care Tuesday, including one that significantly increases health coverage for children.

The bill for children’s health insurance will allow 50,000 uninsured children to receive Medicaid benefits and receive coverage under the state’s Child Health Care Plan Plus. The bill raises the family income cutoff for coverage to 225 percent of the federal poverty level, an increase of 20 percentage points. Other new laws streamline the application process for Medicaid and CHP+.

The governor signed the bills before a crowd of 100 health professionals at Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colo.