Federal Block Grant Award Summary

The Maryland Department of Health, Division of Medicaid, received a $496.1 million Medicaid Entitlement Block Grant from the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, CFDA 93.767). The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, enables Maryland to maintain and expand health care coverage to uninsured, low-income children and, at state option, low-income pregnant women. This federal-state matching program provides critical health care access and improved quality of life outcomes for vulnerable populations under 19 years of age across the state.

Through this Block Grant funding, Maryland delivers comprehensive health insurance coverage through state-administered CHIP and Medicaid programs, supporting over seven million children nationally enrolled in CHIP. The funding enables the state to implement its chosen operational model—whether through a separate CHIP program, Medicaid expansion, or a combination approach—to reduce the number of uninsured children and expand eligibility thresholds. The award supports the full range of health services and administrative functions necessary to enroll, retain, and serve eligible low-income children and pregnant women throughout Maryland.