President Barack Obama pledged during his campaign to reform health care and increase the number of Americans that have access to health insurance. Despite a fledgling economy, it appears that President Obama may keep his promise.

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which currently provides health insurance to 7 million low and middle-income children nationwide.

Nearly 50,000 more Ohio children could become eligible for this coverage, unless Ohio state budget problems stop the process. Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has already said the economy may delay the full implementation of the program.

Under the proposed expansion, a family of three- a mother and two children- with an annual income of $51, 510, would be at 300% of the poverty level, and thus able to qualify for Ohio health insurance coverage. But with state budget shortfalls of more than $600 million, it seems likely that many eligible children will remain uninsured.

After taking office, Strickland said he would like to get half of the uninsured adults, and all of the uninsured children, covered by Ohio health insurance plans by 2011. This scenario seems unlikely, although we’ll have a better idea in February when the Ohio budget is unveiled.

 Until a program is firmly in place, Ohio’s children can be insured very inexpensively by many of the major health insurers, such as Anthem, UnitedHealthCare and Aetna. For an instant child Ohio health insurance quote, feel free to click on the “Get Instant  Quote” button at the top of the page. 

Update January 2010- Proposes legislation being discussed will probably increase Ohio health insurance rates. Hopefully, some alternatives will be considered.