Louisiana is seeking about $2.5 million in federal SCHIP reimbursements for prenatal care provided to pregnant women who are not U.S. citizens, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports. The state expanded LaCHIP, its version of SCHIP, earlier this year, and since July, it has provided prenatal care to about 1,061 noncitizens. The expansion cost $3.17 million during the first three months.

According to CMS spokesperson Mary Kahn, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for government-funded health programs or services, including SCHIP, except in emergency situations. Noncitizens who have green cards can become eligible for coverage only after they have been in the country for five years, Kahn said.

LaCHIP Administrator Ruth Kennedy said the state contends the cost of care should be reimbursed by the federal government because LaCHIP provides coverage for the unborn child, not the mother. Kennedy noted a 2002 change in SCHIP rules that allows states to cover children "from conception to birth and up to age 19" regardless of the pregnant woman's immigration status. She added that it is cost-effective to provide prenatal care to pregnant women who are not citizens to ensure that infants are born healthy.

Non-U.S. citizens in 56 of the state's 64 parishes receive prenatal care through the program, according to a state report. The women must fill out applications and have incomes no higher than 200% of the federal poverty level for a family of four. The program does not report the immigration status of pregnant women but would disclose the information if asked by the Department of Homeland Security, Kennedy said (Shuler, Baton Rouge Advocate, 11/14).