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The health insurance reform debate has brought welcome attention to the staggering numbers of Americans with no coverage. While state-funded programs aren’t available to all, they do offer assistance to the most needy. But reaching all who are eligible is an ambitious undertaking in itself.
Fortunately, there are community groups that make it a priority to help residents enroll in the Healthy Indiana Plan, Hoosier Healthwise and Medicaid. Next week, Community Action of Northeast Indiana, St. Joseph Hospital and the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation will team up to offer another state-funded health insurance fair at Anthony Medical Center.
“What we want to create is community awareness for these programs,” said Paige Wilkins, coordinator for northeast Indiana’s Covering Kids and Families Coalition. “A lot of families need help with the process, especially since we’ve moved to the online or phone application.”
Indiana has a strong record of enrolling children in Hoosier Healthwise, the state-funded program for low-income families, pregnant women and children, thanks to the efforts of the coalition and its partners and other family advocates. Still, the National Survey for Children’s Health found that almost 15 percent of Indiana children lack consistent health insurance coverage. About 123,000 Hoosier children are not covered, according to the most recent Census figures, even though 59 percent are eligible for Hoosier Healthwise. With poverty numbers growing as a result of the recession, the numbers of uninsured are likely to be even higher than the figures suggest.
Income guidelines for Hoosier Healthwise are generous: A family of four can earn up to $56,000 a year to qualify.
Wilkins said residents also fail to apply for the Healthy Indiana Plan, the state program for adults 19 to 64 without children and without access to an employer-sponsored plan. There’s currently a waiting list for the program.
“We still encourage everyone to apply and get on the waiting list,” Wilkins said.
Numerous documents are required to apply, including Social Security numbers for all household members, a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization, pay stubs and other income information and more. At the fair, advocates will help applicants complete the process or give information on how to complete the application with the necessary documentation.
At an earlier enrollment fair, applications covering more than 220 residents were submitted.
It’s important for as many residents to be covered as possible. Health care costs are lower for all when Hoosiers receive regular, personalized medical care. The savings are even greater when children receive regular care – their chances for success in school are much improved if they are healthy. The enrollment fair is a worthwhile event that deserves community support.
