The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has launched a $15 million, four-year initiative to increase enrollment and retention of eligible children in public health insurance programs like Medicaid and the States' Children's Health Insurance Program.
According to the most recent government data, more than 9 million U.S. children are uninsured, and more than 7 million are eligible for either Medicaid or SCHIP but are not enrolled.
In an effort to significantly increase the number of children with health coverage, the new RWJF program - "Maximizing Enrollment for Kids" - will provide funding and technical support to eight states. Foundation officials say the selected states have shown a strong commitment to increasing children's enrollment in public coverage programs even in the face of difficult economic times.
The program is being launched as states are preparing to receive stronger federal support of their efforts in this area from the recent extension of the SCHIP program.
Under the direction of the National Academy for State Health Policy, which serves as the national program office for Maximizing Enrollment for Kids, the program will help states strengthen their systems, policies and procedures and develop new strategies and approaches to 'maximize enrollment' for eligible children.
The program will also measure the impact of these changes and share findings nationwide throughout the four-year initiative.
Grantees will receive:
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an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the states' enrollment and retention systems, policies and procedures;
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tailored technical assistance to help states develop and implement plans to increase enrollment and retention of eligible children;
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participation in peer-to-peer learning to share information with other states about challenges and effective strategies;
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and assistance with data collection and analysis to help states measure their progress.
The eight state agencies designated by their respective governors have been awarded up to $1 million, plus significant technical assistance, as part of this four-year initiative. The state organizations chosen as Maximizing Enrollment grantees are:
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Alabama - Department of Public Health.
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Illinois - Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
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Louisiana - Department of Health and Hospitals.
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Massachusetts - Executive Office of Health and Human Services Office of Medicaid.
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New York - Department of Health.
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Utah - Department of Health.
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Virginia - Department of Medical Assistance Services.
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Wisconsin - Department of Health and Family Services.