February 4, 2009—Today, President Barack Obama signed federal legislation that gives Washington’s Apple Health for Kids program a $15-million-per-year shot in the arm. Governor Chris Gregoire, who was pres
ent for the signing, has stated that the new funding available through the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) gives Washington state more than enough federal support to restart Apple Health for Kids coverage for families earning between 250 and 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, which was suspended last December. (Read the stories of some of these families.)