Child Advocacy Alert!
Higher co-pays will mean fewer kids with health coverage, treatment
Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) proposes
to increase co-payments and premiums paid by families whose children
are covered by Healthy Kids Silver.
August 12, 2005
What: Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative
Rules (JLCAR) public hearing on a Dept. of Health and Human Services
(DHHS) proposal to increase co-payments and premiums paid by families
whose children are covered by NH's Healthy Kids Silver program.
When: Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m.
Where: Auditorium in the Brown Building, 129
Pleasant St., Concord.
Action requested: Children's advocates are asked
to request JLCAR members to approve the $5 premium increases, but reject
any increased co-pays. Testify at Tuesday's public hearing, or submit
written materials by Aug. 26.
What you need to know: "Ensure health insurance
coverage for all New Hampshire children by preventing reductions to
Medicaid and SCHIP benefit and eligibility levels and by identifying
and enrolling all currently eligible children" is the Health priority
action step for the 2005 Children's Agenda.
DHHS has requested a $5 increase in the monthly premium paid by Healthy
Kids Silver members, and co-payment increases ranging from $5 to $25
for a variety of medical services including for mental health treatment,
hearing and vision exams, eyeglasses and emergency room visits.
All children covered by Healthy Kids Silver will be affected. Families
earning between 185% and 300% of the federal poverty guidelines ($29,766.50
to $48,270 for family of three) qualify for Healthy Kids Silver.
Healthy Kids Corp. President Tricia Brooks says only the $5 increase
in premiums is necessary. That increase will allow Healthy Kids to enroll
up to 750 new children in the program.
There has been only one increase in premiums charged to Healthy Kids
families since January 1999. While the rising cost of health care makes
this $5 increase necessary, increased co-pays would likely inhibit enrollment
and discourage poor families from seeking necessary medical care for
their children.
The message: "Any increase in the premiums
or co-pays families pay for Healthy Kids will mean fewer children receive
the health care they need. Please limit the Healthy Kids increase to
$5 per member per month."
For information or for additional talking points, please contact Tricia
Brooks at 228-2925, ext. 230.
Thank you for raising your voice for children.
