Medicaid entitlement for 59 - FY 2026 - T21

The Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) awarded the Department of Social & Health Services, doing business as Financial Services Administration, a Block Grant of $143.36 million on October 1, 2025, under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, CFDA 93.767). This entitlement award, which extends through September 30, 2027, enables Washington State to maintain and expand health insurance coverage for uninsured, low-income children and eligible pregnant women under Title XXI of the Social Security Act. As the state administering agency, DSHS delivers CHIP benefits through either a separate state program, expanded Medicaid eligibility, or a combination of both approaches, directly serving vulnerable pediatric populations across Washington.

DSHS distributes CHIP funding through an established subgrant network to regional entities including county governments (Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Spokane), the City of Seattle Human Services Department, and specialized councils of governments to ensure equitable access to child health assistance. The program has demonstrated sustained impact, with over seven million children nationally enrolled in CHIP. This Block Grant represents a portion of Washington's annual CHIP entitlement and reflects the federal-state matching structure that characterizes the program, with actual expenditures and service delivery volumes typically exceeding the initial obligated amount as claims are processed throughout the fiscal year.