SENATOR COLLINS WORKS TO IMPROVE HEALTH INSURANCE ACCESS FOR CHILDREN

Washington, DC –Senator Susan Collins today joined Senate colleagues in introducing the "Covering Kids Act of 2005," which is aimed at increasing health coverage among uninsured, low-income children by making grants available to states, safety net providers, schools, faith-based organizations, and other community and non-profit organizations. The grants would be used for Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) outreach and enrollment efforts as well as educating people on the importance of health insurance coverage in ensuring quality health care for pregnant women and children.

"I am concerned that there are millions of children nationwide who remain uninsured simply because their families do not realize that they qualify for coverage under these health insurance programs,"" Senator Collins said. "By educating families about the health insurance "safety net" programs that are available and by giving states increased flexibility to simplify enrollment procedures, we can ensure that children throughout the country and the state of Maine have access to coverage."

Over half of the 10 million children in the U.S. without health insurance coverage live in families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and are eligible for coverage under either the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) or Medicaid. Studies have shown that the families of many eligible children are not familiar with the availability of safety net coverage or face other barriers that prevent enrollment. The goal of this legislation is to expand health insurance access to uninsured children.

####