In response to Flint, Michigan's drinking water crisis, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is providing funds to connect children exposed to lead with needed healthcare services.
CMS is awarding the Greater Flint Health Coalition $300,000 to get children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
The city has suffered a public health emergency for over two years due to lead in the Flint's public water system. Congress last week finally provided money to address the health crisis in a federal budget approved last week.
The $300,000 will allow the Greater Flint Health Coalition to do outreach and enroll uninsured children so families can access available services.
[Also: Flint health centers awarded $500,000 for lead contamination disaster response]
"The award to the Greater Flint Health Coalition will help connect children and pregnant women served by the Flint water supply to critical health and developmental services," said Vikki Wachino, CMS deputy administrator and director, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services.
Specifically, the money will be used to identify children eligible for Medicaid and CHIP, support outreach and enrollment, educate families about the availability of free or low-cost health coverage and assist families with applications and renewals.
The programs in Michigan target children and young adults up to 21 years old, as well as pregnant women with incomes up to and including 400 percent of the federal poverty level.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse