WICS Live: Around the States

Arizona: 10,000 Parents Lose Health Coverage As State Program Is Victim of Budget Cuts The KidsCare Parents program, which was an extension of the state’s SCHIP covering low-income working parents, ended September 30th after the state could not pay the $6 million cost to cover the program, following state budget cuts. The state will also lose $18 million in federal funds for administering the program. The state is facing an overall $3 billion budget shortfall. Governor Jan Brewer (R) said she was devastated by the program’s loss. Brewer is now concerned that KidsCare, which serves more than 50,000 children, could be cut in upcoming fiscal 2010-11 budget negotiations.