Eligibility for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is primarily based on what measure?

The eligibility for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is primarily based on household income. This program was designed to provide health coverage for children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private coverage. Each state has its own guidelines regarding income eligibility, often expressed as a percentage of the federal poverty level. By focusing on household income, CHIP aims to target those families that are in need of assistance while ensuring that children have access to necessary healthcare services. The program also generally takes into account family size and other factors in its assessment, but income remains the core measure for determining eligibility.

The age of the child is a criteria for ensuring that the program targets children, but it does not determine eligibility on its own. Parental employment can influence a family's income, but it is not a direct measure of eligibility for CHIP. Geographic location may affect the specifics of the program and the available resources, but it is not the primary measure of eligibility.