Congresswoman Matsui Joins HHS Secretary Sebelius Connecting Kids to Coverage Challenge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 13, 2010
CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163
Encourages Local Families to Enroll Their Children for Health Coverage
CA Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) applauded Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recent announcement of the Connecting Kids to Coverage Challenge, a new national coalition to enroll five million children nationwide in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) within five years. It is estimated that approximately five million uninsured children, or 88 percent of all low-income uninsured children, are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP but are not enrolled. Moreover, the Congresswoman's home state of California is one of the three states with the lowest uptake rates for CHIP 39 percent of eligible uninsured children live in California, Texas, and Florida.
It is simply unacceptable that in a country as advanced as ours, so many parents live in constant fear of their child getting sick, expressed Congresswoman Matsui. Programs like Medicaid and CHIP provide crucial support that these families need and help save our country from much greater costs down the line. I look forward to working with Secretary Sebelius and local organizations to assist in getting these children insured and helping the families that need it most.
The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) and the Affordable Care Act, both of which Congresswoman Matsui supported in Congress, provide $120 million for grants designed to promote enrollment and retention strategies that will increase the prevalence of health coverage for America's children. These initiatives, as well as the recent extension of increased Federal Medicaid funding, have provided states with exceptional Federal support, enabling them to keep providing essential health services for low-income families during the economic downturn.
Secretary Sebelius is challenging Federal, state, and local governments, as well as community organizations, health centers, faith-based groups, and Indian tribes, to help enroll these children. HHS will provide technical assistance and targeted grants in order to aid in this challenge.
To enroll in California's Medicaid program, please visit Medi-Cal's website or by calling (916) 445-4171. If you do not qualify for Medi-Cal, you can check your child's eligibility for low-cost health insurance through the Healthy Families Programwebsite.
For more information about the Secretary's challenge, please visit: www.insurekidsnow.gov
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