Lieutenant Governor Applies for Federal Grant to Enroll Children in Health Insurance

Grant will fund a unique coalition of state and faith-based organizations to increase enrollment in the Delaware Healthy Children Program by 20%

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 14, 2009

Wilmington - Lt. Governor Matt Denn was joined by U.S. Senator Tom Carper, representatives from faith-based non-profit organizations, and about 40 summer camp children at Ezion Mt. Carmel U.M. Church to announce a grant application recently submitted to the federal government. If awarded, the grant would fund a coalition of State, faith-, and community -based organizations to conduct outreach to significantly increase the numbers of children enrolled in health insurance through Delaware's Healthy Children program.

Currently in Delaware, there are over eight-thousand children eligible for the Healthy Children program but not enrolled. The grant application, if fully awarded, would fund a new staff position as a CHIP outreach coordinator for each of the three partner organizations. The role of the CHIP outreach coordinator would be to serve as enrollment ambassadors. They would recruit volunteers to go door to door and to work within church networks to increase awareness of and enrollment in Delaware's Healthy Children program. The goal of the fully funded partnership is to increase enrollment in Delaware's Healthy Children program by 20%.

"It is great to have the support of Sen. Carper, who is a strong advocate for the faith community and for enrolling more children in health insurance," Lt. Governor Matt Denn said. "With his help, we have an even stronger chance of being awarded these federal dollars, and we are looking forward to significantly increase health care access and coverage for Delaware's children."

The partnership includes three non-profit organizations that work in communities targeting likely eligible families in communities around Delaware. The Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families will be focused in Sussex County, the Interdenominational Ministers Action Council will hit the ground in the City of Wilmington and New Castle, and Voices Without Borders will do outreach in the Hispanic and Latino communities in Delaware.

"No child should go without health insurance and no parent should have to choose between paying their child's health care bill or paying their bills," said Sen. Carper (D-Del). "CHIP is a positive investment - children with health insurance are healthier and more active throughout their lives. I am also excited about the partnership - churches and non-profits have life-long impacts on individuals and communities and we are happy they are involved."

This past legislative session, Lt. Governor Denn, with the help of several key legislators, recently drafted and convinced the General Assembly to enact legislation that will expand CHIP enrollment in Delaware by allowing families over the current income threshold to buy into the program for a reasonable premium. Through H.B. 139, the eligibility limits will be extended in January and health insurance coverage will be offered to all of Delaware's children. The Governor is expected to sign this legislation into law soon.

As Insurance Commissioner, Denn made it a priority to get more children enrolled in Delaware's Healthy Children program. He convinced the legislature to enact a law requiring local school districts to share free and reduced price lunch information with the CHIP program to encourage enrollment. Over the past two years, there has been a 16% increase in enrollment in the Healthy Children Program.

The grant application was submitted in early August to the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The funding was made available after the re-authorization of CHIP by President Obama earlier this year. After the reauthorization, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of up to $40 million in grants to help reach families whose children qualify but are not yet enrolled in State Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs. Two-hundred awards nationwide will be announced in September.

Delaware's Healthy Children Program is a low-cost health insurance program for uninsured children. The program features the same high-quality coverage available with some of the best private insurance plans. Currently, families with incomes that are 200% of the federal poverty level and below are eligible for CHIP. Families pay a monthly household (not per child) fee of either $10, $15 or $25 according to income.

Families covered by the Delaware Healthy Children Program enjoy an extensive list of services for a single low monthly rate, with no co-payments. Services covered include:

• Well-baby and well-child checkups
• Drug/alcohol abuse treatment
• Speech/hearing therapy
• Immunizations
• Physical therapy
• Eye exams
• Ambulance services
• Prescription drugs
• Hospital Care
• Physician services
• X-rays
• Lab work
• Assistive technology
• Mental health counseling
• Limited home health and nursing care
• Case management and coordination
• Hospice care

More facts and figures:

Children without health insurance (3 year averages, as calculated by Center for Applied Demography and Research at University of Delaware)

Total CHIP enrollment in 10/06: 4,787
Total CHIP enrollment in 10/08: 5,571
(16% increase in two year period)