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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

HM 15 requests the Human Services Department to utilize local resources to increase enrollment in the State Child Health Insurance Program. A copy of the memorial is to be sent to the Secretary of the Human Services Department.

Significant Issues

HM 15 recognizes that:

• •Both the Department of Health and Human Services Department have made efforts to increase enrollment of children in the Medicaid program and these efforts have exceeded expectations.
• •Seventy thousand children who are eligible for Medicaid are not enrolled in the program.

HM 15 recommends that the Human Services Department work with public and private agencies that deal with children in need of health services to increase enrollment in the Medicaid program. The bill acknowledges that these agencies have developed a positive relationship with families of children that need health services, which may help in overcoming the reluctance to apply for government programs by these families. Consequently, by utilizing these agencies in an effort to increase the enrollment of these children in the Medicaid program, the number of uninsured children may decline.

BD/ar