Medicaid entitlement for 18 - FY 2026 - T21

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded the Iowa Department of Human Services a $208.99 million Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Block Grant (CFDA 93.767) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. This award funds health insurance coverage for low-income, uninsured children and pregnant women under age 19 in Iowa. CHIP operates as a federal-state matching program enabling states to maintain and expand child health assistance through a separate CHIP program, expansion of Medicaid eligibility, or a combination of both approaches. The funding supports comprehensive health care access and quality of life improvements for vulnerable pediatric and pregnant populations across the state.

As the designated state administering agency, Iowa DHS utilizes CHIP block grant funding to deliver direct health coverage and related services to eligible beneficiaries through state-selected program delivery mechanisms. The program represents one of the agency's largest federal funding streams alongside Medicaid entitlements, reflecting the critical role of child health insurance in Iowa's social services portfolio. The award period extends through fiscal year 2027, providing sustained federal support for health insurance maintenance and expansion initiatives targeting low-income families with children.