Covering Kids
KVH Applauds Governor on the Elimination of KCHIP PremiumsKentucky Voices for Health commends Governor Beshear for taking action to suspend the monthly premiums for eligible children in the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP).The General Assembly recently included funding to suspend KCHIP premiums in their final budget passed in May 2010. The $20 monthly premiums for families to cover their children was a barrier to enrollment and hindered access to dental, medical, vision, hearing, mental health, hospitalizations and many other health services that are covered by KCHIP.
“The elimination of the KCHIP premiums will keep the Commonwealth’s youth healthier by ensuring sustained health care coverage,” stated Jodi Mitchell, Executive Director of Kentucky Voices for Health.“The Governor’s action to assist families in these tough economic times will positively impact over 16,000Kentucky children.”
Kentucky Voices for Health has partnered with the KCHIP program to increase the enrollment of children in KCHIP and Medicaid to ensure that Kentucky’s children have health coverage.The coalition has been involved in expanded outreach efforts to encourage families to understand the simplified enrollment and re-enrollment process.
“This is another important step in keeping kids healthy and thriving and reducing health costs associated with providing care to uninsured children.” added Sheila Schuster, Co-Chair of Kentucky Voices for Health.“Health coverage provides a foundation for ongoing development during the critical years of life. Investing in KCHIP provides a great return both for Kentucky’s families and the state’s taxpayers.”
For more information, visit http://kidshealth.ky.gov.KCHIP members with questions about premium payments are encouraged to call (800) 635-2570.
Programs Critical to KY Families During Recession
Child poverty is on the rise in Kentucky and unemployment hovers near double digits. However, a new report stresses that support programs can make a difference – if families take advantage of them.The results from the latest KIDS COUNT County Data Book make a strong case for improving access to programs like SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), free and reduced-price school meals, and child care subsidies. There is another program more families could tap into as well, he says. The KIDS COUNT County Data Book is available at www.kyyouth.org.
Kentucky Voices for Health “Covering Kids” Policy Brief
Two-thirds of children in Kentucky who do not have health coverage (62,500) are eligible but not signed up for the Kentucky Child Health Insurance Program (KCHIP). Small changes in KCHIP could dramatically increase child health coverage in Kentucky and reduce health costs associated with providing care to uninsured children.
Get Kids Covered!
- Kentucky Child Health Insurance Program (KCHIP): covers low income children.
- Kentucky Medicaid: covers lower income children and some families, too.
- Insure Kids Now: find out about kids’ coverage in other states.
- State Health Facts: Start by clicking Kentucky on the U.S. map, or “Medicaid and SCHIP” on the menu. Tons of facts and figures.
- The Commonwealth Fund: Click “Charts” and “State Score Card.” The U.S. map takes you to “State Performance Profiles.”
- Cover the Uninsured: Facts, figures and colorful charts on kids and health coverage. Part of the “Let’s Get America Covered” campaign.
