Funds are part of the new Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorisation Act
US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius has announced the availability of around $40 million in grants. It is to help families whose children qualify but are not yet enrolled in state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP). Colorado Governor Bill Ritter joined the announcement.
According to HHS, grants will support President Obama’s work to ensure currently uninsured children across the country to get the health care they need. The funds are part of the new Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorisation Act (CHIPRA), that the President signed as one of his first acts upon assuming office.
The CHIPRA offers a total of $100 million for campaigns aimed at reducing the number of low-income, uninsured children. This grant will be administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Cindy Mann, Director for Medicaid and State Operations of CMS Center, said: “States have been effective in enrolling over 30 million children in Medicaid and more than 7 million children in CHIP, but there are still millions of uninsured, low-income children who are not enrolled in these programs even though they are eligible.”
Ms. Sebelius said: “These grants will help community organisations, tribal organisations, as well as states and local governments reach out to children and families to ensure more children get the health care they need and deserve.”