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| Issues: Health Care Schools and Access to Health Care | 2010 All Colorado Kids Covered SCHIP Colorado Coalition  |
 Schools and Access to Health CareAccording to a 2007 report by the Colorado Children’s Campaign, more than 159,000 children in Colorado live without health care coverage. Research shows that 2/3 of these uninsured children are eligible for reduced cost health care programs, but are not enrolled. According to the 2007 Colorado Health Report Card, Colorado has a higher rate of uninsured children than the national average – 14% respectively versus 12% nationally. And according to the 2006 Colorado Health Report Card, policy makers can ensure Coloradans have access to quality healthcare by finding ways to provide insurance coverage to a greater number of people. CPE is conducting research and exploring a very innovative proposal to increase enrollment of eligible kids in public health care programs (Medicaid and CHP+) by involving schools as essential partners in reaching out to families and ensuring that each and every student is healthy and prepared to learn and thrive. Following the research stage, CPE will collaborate with other organizations to build the support necessary to expand the role of schools in health care enrollment and/or services. A University of Missouri study found that children who enrolled in the state's health insurance program had 39% fewer school absences. Higher absence rates lead to poorer academic performance. Information and Resources: Colorado Medicaid Facts Colorado Kids Count 2007 Colorado Health Foundation 2007 Colorado Health Report Card 2006 Colorado Health Report Card National Conference of State Legislatures If you have any questions or for additional information contact Elise Keaton. |
Colorado State Auditor Report: Childrens Basic Health Plan |
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| 2010 All Colorado Kids Covered The 2010 All Colorado Kids Covered coalition is led by the Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved and includes a large number of organizations interested in children’s health care policy and wellness. Its goal is to design and implement a roadmap for achieving health care coverage for all Colorado children by 2010 and Lt. Governor Barbara O’Brien serves as its official spokesperson. CPE is a member of the coalition and strongly supports is legislative and advocacy efforts, including two 2008 bills addressing public health care programs for children: Senate Bill 160 (Sen. Hagedorn; Rep. McGihon) and Senate Bill 161 (Sen. Boyd; Rep. Merrifield). SB 160 expands CHP+ eligibility from 205% to 225% of FPL ($46,000/year for a family of four); allows the FPL to be raised further to 250% if additional funds are appropriated; and it improves the CHP+ mental health benefits package so it is equivalent to the Medicaid mental health benefits for children. SB 161eliminates the requirements for families to submit paycheck stubs and instead uses available data through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to verify family income. It also allows the DOLE data to be used to reenroll children at the end of their eligibility to avoid interruptions in health insurance coverage and it requires an existing advisory committee explore the feasibility of combining Medicaid and CHP+ into one program. Both bills successfully passed both the house and senate, and Governor Bill Ritter Jr. is expected to sign them both into law this May. Information and Resources: SB 160 Fact Sheet SB 161 Fact Sheet Colorado Health Institute All Colorado Kids Covered: A Roadmap to Coverage by 2010 Colorado leaders aim to cover all kids by 2010 If you have any questions or for additional information contact Elise Keaton. |
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