Topeka ? Kansas has plans to reduce the insurance assistance for children of lower-income state workers next year and also allow those children to be enrolled in a federal health program.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports workers who qualify will be able in 2016 to sign their children up for coverage through the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program, CHIP. Prior to the federal Affordable Care Act state workers weren’t allowed to sign up for CHIP.

The Health Care Commission, which governs the State Employee Health Plan, voted to eliminate $2.2 million in funding for Kansas’ Healthy KIDS program, which helps subsidize health insurance for the children of lower-income state workers.

The Kansas Department for Health and Environment says it expects to file the required paperwork to enact the plan next month.