The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching the
“Get Covered. Get in the Game” initiative in seven pilot states
across the country: Colorado, Florida, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Ohio and
Wisconsin. The initiative is part of the Connecting Kids to Coverage effort,
led by HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius, which calls on government and business
leaders, health and human services providers, schools, the faith community, and
those working with children in any setting to find and enroll roughly five
million uninsured children in the United States who are currently eligible for
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
“Even as we move forward with health insurance reform for all
Americans, we must not lose our momentum to insure kids now,” Sebelius
stated in a press release.
The initiative brings together coaches, schools, and communities to
educate families with children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP about the
immediate availability of children’s health coverage programs. The
National Council of Youth Sports estimates that 44 million boys and girls
participate in organized youth sports.
“Healthy kids do better in school and in life because they are able
to participate fully in activities that develop their bodies and their
minds,” Sebelius stated. “Kids should not have to miss out on their
favorite sports and other activities that get them moving because they lack
health insurance coverage. With Medicaid and CHIP, eligible children can be
covered both on and off the field.”
