Ohio gets extra cash for enrolling more children in fed health programs

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration awarded Ohio a $21 million bonus for its efforts to enroll more poor children into federal health programs, the second consecutive year the state has been recognized for its work.

According to state officials, the number of Ohio children with health insurance through Medicaid increased this year from about 1.15 million to 1.2 million — about a 4.8 percent increase.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showered $296 million on Ohio and 22 other states yesterday, saying they have made it much easier for low-income parents to enroll their children in the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP.

Last year, the Obama administration awarded Ohio $12.4 million for its efforts, which Gov. John Kasich’s administration is using to implement Medicaid modernization and health-care reform programs.