Back-to-School campaign targets uninsured children

Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Dr. Judy Monroe, State Health Commissioner, recently joined Covering Kids & Families of Indiana to launch its Annual Back-to-School Campaign to reach parents of uninsured children in Indiana.

Nationally, more than 7 out of 10 uninsured children are likely eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP Coverage.

"We know that healthy students attend school more regularly, can focus on their lessons, and be high achievers in school and throughout their lives," said Dr. Reed. "The Department of Education is pleased to be an ongoing partner in this effort to help our students lead healthier lives."

The event launched the annual Covering Kids & Families of Indiana Back-to-School campaign to remind parents of uninsured children to keep health care coverage at the top of their back-toschool checklist. The event highlighted new and expanded state partnerships that will provide enhanced support for vulnerable families throughout Indiana. It also spotlighted new federal pilot programs that identify children whose families are eligible for free and reduced-price meals and qualify for health care coverage through Hoosier Healthwise.

"The State Department of Health is dedicated to improving the health of Indiana's children, including helping to teach them about the importance of proper nutrition, being physically active and avoiding tobacco," said Dr. Monroe. "Having a medical home and receiving regular checkups and preventive care are also vital to the good health of our children. That is why we continue to expand our school health initiatives and to work together with the Department of Education and the Family and Social Services Administration to ensure that families know about existing programs like Hoosier Healthwise."

Covering Kids & Families is a national program of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with grantees in every state and the District of Columbia, aiming to connect eligible children and families to affordable health care coverage programs. Across the nation, Covering Kids & Families coalitions work with state agencies, community-based organizations, health care facilities and businesses to host more than 2,000 events during the Back-to-School campaign. Events in Indiana include health and fun fairs with on-site Hoosier Healthwise enrollment, free immunizations and health screenings, and distribution of health care information.

Health insurance premiums have been increasing dramatically across Indiana, partly due to the growing number of uninsured Hoosiers. At any point in time, more than 9%, or about 561,000 Indiana residents are uninsured. Unfortunately, the number of Hoosiers without health care coverage continues to grow as transitions in the economy nationwide reduce the number of individuals on employer-funded health insurance plans. According to the Economic Policy Institute, Indiana had the nation's second highest percentage drop (from 1999 - 2004) in workers who receive employer-sponsored health insurance.

Mitch Roob, secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, explained, "We at FSSA have developed several initiatives to increase affordable health care coverage and refine how services can be accessed and delivered through collaborations that include managed care organizations (MCOs), schools, community mental health centers, hospitals and other community-based entities. One initiative about to be launched is a redesign of the Hoosier Healthwise program that encourages MCOs to partner with schools to deliver health services in a school setting."

Many uninsured children may qualify for Hoosier Healthwise, the state's low-cost or free health insurance program for low-income families. The Department of Education (DOE) partners with Covering Kids & Families to help identify and enroll eligible children in Hoosier Healthwise each year through school lunch program referrals. Most children eligible for the free and reduced lunch program are also eligible for Hoosier Healthwise.

Daniel Fink, chief operating officer for Riley Hospital for Children, announced a new partnership between Riley Hospital's Child Advocacy Council and Covering Kids and Families and other state agencies to create a website that educators, counselors, school nurses and therapists and other professionals across the state can use to support and complement school wellness and safety initiatives for children and teens year round.

During the next several weeks, Covering Kids & Families of Indiana and local partners are sponsoring enrollment efforts throughout the state to reach families as they prepare their children for a healthy and successful school year.

Families can learn more about low-cost and free health care coverage for children by calling tollfree 1-800-889-9949. Callers will be connected to Indiana's Hoosier Healthwise program. A family of four in Indiana earning up to $39,996 may qualify for this lowcost or free health care coverage program.