DAVENPORT, Iowa --- Iowa legislators will have one less fiscal problem to deal with next month after the Obama administration announced Monday that it is paying the state a bonus for enrolling kids in health insurance programs.

The administration said it is paying the state a $6.8 million bonus for getting low- to middle-income kids in the Medicaid and the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa, or HAWK-I, programs.

As a result, state officials say, they won't need to ask legislators to fill an anticipated $5 million hole in the program for fiscal year 2011, which ends June 30.

"Iowa has long been among the nation's leaders in covering the health needs of kids in low- to modest-means families, and the bonus is well-deserved," said Charles Krogmeier, the director of the state's Department of Human Services. "And the timing couldn't be better."

Fifteen states were awarded a total of $206 million Monday.

Illinois was among them, being awarded $15 million.

To qualify for the money, states had to adopt five of eight measures aimed at streamlining enrollment and guaranteeing continuous coverage.

Iowa has undertaken six of the measures.