This is good news for Hoosier children..........

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=14639

Indiana officials are unveiling their Back-to-School Campaign to reach parents of uninsured children in Indiana.

Many uninsured children in Indiana are eligible for Hoosier Healthwise, the state's low-cost or free health insurance program for low-income families. Officials say more than 93,000 Hoosier children are uninsured.

Source: Inside INdiana Business

Press Release

Indianapolis, IN- Today Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Dr. Judy Monroe, State Health Commissioner joined Covering Kids & Families of Indiana to launch its Annual Back-to-School Campaign to reach parents of uninsured children in Indiana. More than 93,000 children are uninsured, according to a recent federally funded study for Health Insurance for Indiana Families.

"Children are our greatest asset and their well-being is essential to our state and communities' future. It is important while our students are heading back to school to help them be prepared to do their very best," said Dr. Reed. "Helping children whose families are eligible for free and reduced-price meals qualify for health care coverage can truly enhance and enrich not only their health, but their lives. Healthy students attend school more regularly, can focus on their lessons, and be high achievers in school and throughout their 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-to-school checklist. 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.

"Access to healthcare is vital to the health and well-being of Indiana's children," said Dr. Judy Monroe, state health commissioner. "That is why it is so important for state agencies such as the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Family and Social Services to work together to ensure that families know about existing programs and services like Hoosier Healthwise."

Studies indicate that in 2005, approximately 785,000 Indiana residents will be uninsured for the entire year. Uninsured children are seven times more likely to go without needed medical care than children with insurance, which can lead to hospital visits or serious illness that could have been prevented. Unfortunately, many uninsured families are faced with the difficult decision of whether to pay for medical care or to buy groceries.

The following statement was issued from Mitch Roob, Secretary of Family and Social Services Administration. "The Daniels administration is focused on providing the best healthcare possible to Hoosier families in need. The Family and Social Services Administration, The Department of Health and the Department of Education are all dedicated to getting as much information to the public as possible about child health insurance issues. The more Hoosier parents know about healthcare, the better off Hoosier children will be."

Many uninsured children in Indiana are in fact eligible 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.

A local Hispanic resident of Indianapolis gave testimony on how her children have benefited from the health care program. "I had a language barrier and finding someone like Fernando from Covering Kids & Families in my neighborhood that could assist me and my children to sign up for Hoosier Healthwise was very helpful" said Tere Banda. "I appreciate all the help that Covering Kids & Families gave me." Fernando Luna, a community outreach worker for Central Indiana's Covering Kids & Families translated the message for the media.

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. In Indiana, events are scheduled in Fort Wayne, Gary, Hammond, Indianapolis, Mishawaka, Muncie, Logansport, South Bend, LaPorte and other cities.

"The annual Back to School Campaign is a critically important strategy that Covering Kids & Families and our statewide and community partners employ to remind parents, students, and school leaders about the importance of health care and health insurance," said Covering Kids & Families Board member Chuck Brandenburg. "The Campaign highlights the essential ongoing role that schools play in identifying and reaching out to students and families in need of health care coverage."

Families can learn more about low-cost and free health care coverage for children by calling toll-free 1-800-889-9949. Callers will be connected to Indiana's Hoosier Healthwise program. A family of four in Indiana earning up to $38,700 may qualify for this low-cost or free health care coverage program.

Covering Kids & Families, a program of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is a national initiative to increase the number of children and adults who benefit from federal and state health care coverage programs. For more information, visit www.coveringkidsandfamilies.org. For more information about Covering Kids & Families of Indiana, visit www.ckfindiana.org.

Source: Indiana Department of Education