Iowa Governor Culver: Let's Work Together To Ensure Our Kids Have The Health Care They Deserve

New outreach effort to enroll more children in HAWK-I

January 24, 2008 -- DES MOINES, Iowa— Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver launched an aggressive outreach program designed to insure more children in low- and modest-income households through the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (hawk-i) program.

“One of my top priorities as Governor is to ensure our children have access to quality, affordable health care,” said Governor Culver. “To do so, we must reach out to hard-working parents, and make sure they know that state government is here to help. Through the HAWK-I program, we can insure thousands of children, and I call on eligible families across the state to sign up for this program as soon as possible. Let’s work together to ensure our kids have the health care coverage they not only need, but deserve.”

Culver said that about 37,500 children are enrolled in HAWK-I, which is designed for families whose income is too high to qualify for Medicaid, yet can’t afford health insurance on their own.

State officials estimate there are between 21,000 to 25,000 children in income-eligible families who have not signed up. Culver hopes this new $2.1 million campaign will lead to more than 7,500 new enrollees by the end of the next fiscal year.

Made possible through a combination of state and federal funds, the comprehensive outreach program features radio, television, newspaper advertisements, as well as public service announcements and billboards. It is designed to address the two main barriers for enrollment: lack of awareness and misperception about eligibility.

To be eligible for HAWK-I, families must earn less than 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines, or $41,300 for a family of four. However, certain exemptions do exist for those holding a job. For complete eligibility requirements, visit www.hawk-i.org or call 1-800-257-8563.

Source: Iowa Governor

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