HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has approved a change in the Florida State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) -- known as the Florida KidCare Program -- that will increase coverage for children in the insurance program.

The approval will allow the state to add a comprehensive dental benefit to its KidCare plan. The new benefit will be added to the coverage package in counties contributing at least $4,000 annually in local matching funds. The state began the new program in February 2001. The dental program will be implemented in all eligible counties by June 2002.

The state expects to serve 160,000 children in its dental program. Overall, the KidCare program has 220,623 enrolled.

Florida is eligible to receive over $66 million in federal funds for fiscal 2001. SCHIP is historic, bipartisan legislation enacted in 1997. The SCHIP law appropriates $24 billion over five years to help states expand health insurance to children whose families earn too much for traditional Medicaid, yet not enough to afford private insurance. All states with SCHIP plans will receive federal matching funds only for actual expenditures to insure children.

"This administration will work closely with states to ensure flexibility at the local level to get health insurance to children who need it," said Secretary Thompson. "This is just an example of how the federal government can let states make decisions that make sense for them and their citizens."

SCHIP gives states three options for devising a plan to cover uninsured children: designing a new children's health insurance program; expanding Medicaid programs; or a combination of both strategies. HHS must approve any amendment to a state's SCHIP program.

SCHIP plans have been approved for all the states and territories.