LOW-COST OR FREE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR KIDS IS HERE.

The White House (July 1998)

New! This year, a new nationwide health insurance program is beginning. Now most families who work hard to make ends meet can get low-cost or free health insurance for their children.

Each State is developing its own Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to make health care more affordable. In addition, Medicaid now provides free health coverage to most low-income children.

Health Insurance Matters.

Children with health insurance are more likely to:

• Be healthy as newborns;
• Receive needed immunizations as
  toddlers; and
• Get treatment for illnesses such as recurring ear infections and
  asthma.

Without treatment, these diseases can slow a child's learning and have lifelong consequences.

Too Many Kids Are Uninsured.

One out of every seven children in America is uninsured. This could be the child who plays with yours at school, the child next door, or your own child. Why?

• Too expensive: Private insurance can cost families thousands that
  they cannot afford.
• Don't know about options: Even though affordable health care is
  available to many working families, too few parents know about their options.

These Children Need Your Help.

We encourage all concerned Americans to join this public-private campaign to insure American children. You can help. Please:

• Learn about your State programs. All States have Medicaid programs
  for children and most States have begun their new Children's Health Insurance
  Programs. Find out who is eligible for assistance and how families can apply.
  
• Educate others. Tell friends, relatives, parents you meet at work,
  and all other working families whose children or grandchildren may be
  uninsured about these options.

Community efforts.

There are many groups around the nation that are involved in children's health outreach. If you are interested, you may wish to contact one of these organizations for information and ideas on how you and your community can become more involved.

WHERE YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION

FEDERAL CONTACTS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL:

Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)
Lillian Gibbons - 410-786-8705
(www.hcfa.gov/init/children.htm)

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
Marcia Brand - 301-443-4619
(www.hrsa.dhhs.gov/childhealth)

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION *

National Governors' Association (www.nga.org)

National Conference of State Legislatures (www.stateserv.hpts.org)

National Association of State Medicaid Directors (medicaid.aphsa.org)

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (www.cbpp.org)

Children's Defense Fund (www.childrensdefense.org)

Families USA (www.familiesusa.org)

National Academy of State Health Policy (www.nashp.org)

Southern Institute on Children and Families (www.kidsouth.org)

* These are examples and do not represent all of sources of information. The White House does not endorse these organizations or their positions. Numbers are from HCFA and HRSA are subject to change.

FEDERAL CONTACTS AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL:

I. Boston Regional Office (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
HCFA - Maureen Farley - 617-565-1248
HRSA - Barbara Tausey - 617-565-1433

II. New York Regional Office (NJ, NY)
HCFA - Jane Salchli - 212-264-3125
HRSA - Gilberto Cardona-Perez - 212-264-2566

III. Philadelphia Regional Office (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV)
HCFA - Rosemary Feild - 215-861-4278
HRSA - Frank Heron - 215-861-4407

IV. Atlanta Regional Office (AL, NC, SC, FL, GA, KY, MS, TN)
HCFA - Andriette Johnson - 404-562-7410
HRSA - Dr. Ketty Gonzalez - 404-562-7980

V. Chicago Regional Office (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI)
HCFA - Barbara England - 312-353-8720
HRSA - Dorretta Parker - 312-353-4042

VI. Dallas Regional Office (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX)
HCFA - Art Pagan - 214-767-6278
HRSA - Marianne Davenport - 214-767-3903

VII. Kansas City Regional Office (IA, KS, MO, NE)
HCFA - Nan Foster Reilly - 816-426-3406 x3305
HRSA - Bradley Appelbaum - 816-426-5292

VIII. Denver Regional Office (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
HCFA - Dee Raisl - 303-844-2121 x454
HRSA - Joyce Borgmeyer - 303-844-5955

IX. San Francisco Regional Office (AZ, CA, HI, NV)
HCFA - Karen Fuller - 415-744-3600
HRSA - Irma Honda - 415-437-8078

X. Seattle Regional Office (AK, ID, OR, WA)
HCFA - Liz Trias - 206-615-2400
HRSA - Margaret West - 206-615-2518