Monday, December 13, 1999
Few takers for free health care
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Small numbers aren't stopping Northern Kentucky health officials in their drive to get more people enrolled in K-CHIP, a Medicaid program that came to the commonwealth in July 1998.
“We've done so much outreach. I don't understand why they're not applying. It's such a wonderful program,” said Selena Murdoch, a health department employee heading the special enrollment drive that kicked off in November. It will conclude at the end of this month.
Since the drive began, Ms. Murdoch and other health employees have passed out K-CHIP information at Northern Kentucky department stores, corner stores, coin laundries, restaurants and nursing homes.
They also have arranged to have ads placed on movie screens and buses to get more children enrolled in K-CHIP (Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program).
About 10,000 children are eligible in Boone, Campbell, Kenton and Gallatin counties. A dismal 7 percent — or about 700 — have been approved for the free health insurance.
No numbers are available for this month. However, data from the Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children indicate that while Northern Kentucky health officials are working hard to inform people about K-CHIP, few are filling out insurance applications.
The cabinet received 90 applications from Kenton County residents — 10 more than in October. There were 56 applications from Campbell County and nine from Gallatin County — the same numbers as the month before. Only 17 applications came from Boone County, nine less than in October.
“The numbers are pretty depressing,” Ms. Murdoch acknowledged. “At first, they're kind of leery because it is perceived as a welfare program. (But) the state is trying to give people a break.”
Linda Hiles, a Newport mother with three teen daughters and two jobs, signed her children up for K-CHIP in September.
Knowing they are covered has relieved some stress for Ms. Hiles, who divorced their father about two years ago. She no longer worries about her daughters getting injured or finding a doctor who might offer some form of a payment plan.
“It doesn't just help the low-income people,” she said. “It helps the people in the middle class, also.”
While Northern Kentucky health officials continue their enrollment drive, a state spokeswoman commended their outreach efforts, no matter the results.
“This is something positive to do for kids,” said Barbara Hadley Smith of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services. K-CHIP “can make a difference in whether a child can succeed in life.”
K-CHIP is available for youngsters 18 and under from families that live at 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That would be $33,400 for a family of four.
It covers physician visits, vision and dental care, special therapies, mental health services, prescription medicines, lab and X-ray procedures, hospital services and preventive services from the region's health department.
The Cabinet for Health Services aims to eventually provide K-CHIP coverage to 78,000 children in Kentucky. About one-third of that number are now enrolled.
For a K-CHIP application, call 578-7660.
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