$1 million grant for uninsured children

RICHMOND, Va. - A $1 million grant will help Virginia children get health insurance coverage.

Governor Tim Kaine made the announcement Wednesday, that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is providing the grant to the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS).

“This is great news for Virginia’s families, especially during these difficult times when many are losing their health insurance, leaving their children uninsured,” Governor Kaine said in a news release. “Many families may need this bridge until they can afford health insurance again for their children. With the support of this grant, DMAS will be able to focus resources on retaining eligible children in our health insurance programs and on identifying new opportunities for maximizing enrollment.”

Recent data shows 8.7 million children are uninsured in the United States. In Virginia, it is projected there are more than 120,000 eligible children not enrolled in the available health insurance programs, known as FAMIS and FAMIS Plus (children's Medicaid).

Virginia was one of eight states selected for the four-year RWJF grant, Maximizing Enrollment for Kids.  Program leaders say that DMAS was selected because Virginia has demonstrated a strong commitment to increasing children’s enrollment in health insurance, even in the face of difficult economic times.

"While all Americans need health coverage, it is especially important for children. Making sure that children have access to all their checkups and immunizations, as well as the care they need when they get sick, is critical to help them grow and learn,” said John R. Lumpkin, MD, MPH, Senior Vice-president and Director of the Health Care Group at RWJF.

For more information about Maximizing Enrollment for Kids or its grantees, visit www.maxenroll.org. For more information about the FAMIS programs go to www.famis.org, or for more information about DMAS and Virginia’s Medicaid programs, visit www.dmas.virginia.gov.

More on the web: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation