Case Study of Illinois: Exploring Links Between Policy, Practice and the Trends in New Medicaid/SCHIP Enrollments

This case study examines enrollment trends in Illinois for children in Medicaid and SCHIP from 1999 through mid-2005. It also examines the activities of the CKF project and its interaction with state policy from January 2002 through June 2006, when the Illinois CKF grant ended. In particular, the study examines the potential relationship between new enrollment during these periods and the specific activities and efforts associated with Illinois’ CKF grant. Ideally, we would examine such links through a formal impact analysis that estimates the effect of individual policy changes or outreach efforts on the number of children enrolling in Medicaid or SCHIP. However, because many of the outreach efforts and policy changes occurred at or near the same time, such analysis is not possible. In addition, no state or other geographic area is a defensible comparison group for a rigorous analysis. The use of a case study approach, which combines exploratory data analysis with in-depth interviews, allows us to ascertain where and how CKF’s influence was most likely a factor.