• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Minyard, Carnival, Sack'N Save Host Children's Health Insurance Drive

Posted on: Friday, 22 February 2008, 12:01 CST

The Dallas CHIP Coalition and Carnival, Minyard and Sack'n Save grocery stores will reach out this weekend to an estimated 250,000 working families to help enroll eligible youngsters in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Children's Medicaid.

The application assistance drive will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in 13 Dallas/Fort Worth locations. Bilingual volunteers will help families learn about CHIP's affordable health care coverage and will assist them with the application process.

"Helping families get health insurance for their children is an important initiative of the Carnival Minyard Foundation," says Michael D. Byars, president and CEO of Minyard Food Stores, Inc. "Last year we were able to sign up over 4,000 children through the two CHIP drives we held at our stores. We pride ourselves on helping the communities we serve, and there is no better way than connecting them to vital programs like CHIP that can improve their lives."

Families with uninsured children should bring a copy of each child's birth certificate, each applying child's social security number, a copy of the front and back of each applying child's alien registration card (I-551) or a copy of each child's Arrival/Departure Form (I-94), if applicable, and proof of income for all family members. The parents' citizenship or immigration status does not affect a child's eligibility and is not reported on the application form.

Locations are listed below and anyone may call 2-1-1, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's referral line, for information or participating store addresses.

Carnival

Dallas: 6401 Abrams 3434 W. Illinois 3460 Webb Chapel Ext.

Fort Worth: 102 N.W. 28th 4812 N. S. Freeway

Grand Prairie: 1713 S. Belt Line Road

Irving: 934 E. Grauwyler

Plano: 3320 Avenue K

Minyard

Dallas: 3230 MLK Blvd. 1201 W. Camp Wisdom

Lancaster: 1450 W. Pleasant Run Road

Sack'n Save

Arlington: 1909 E. Park Row

Richardson: 1332 S. Plano Rd.

More than 1 million (31.3 percent) Texas children from families at or below 200 percent of the poverty threshold went uninsured for all of 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. These numbers are up from 886,000 (27.7 percent) in 2005. Nationally, 19 percent of children from families making at or below 200 percent of the poverty line went uninsured. With more than one in five children lacking coverage, Texas has both the highest number and percentage of uninsured children.

Half of these are eligible for CHIP or Medicaid, but are not enrolled. Children without insurance do not get needed medical, dental or vision care. They also miss more school days because of illness than insured children and are more likely to visit an emergency room when needing health care.

New rules that went into effect last fall allow most families enrolled in CHIP to have coverage for a full 12 months, and most will no longer have to wait for 90 days to receive care. In addition, the asset limit was increased to $10,000 per household and childcare expenses are now considered when determining insurance eligibility. These improvements are meant to support working families by providing easier access to insurance and more comprehensive health care for children.

"The Children's Health Insurance Program serves families who don't get health coverage through their employers but who make too much to qualify for Medicaid," explains Julia Easley, chairwoman of the Dallas CHIP Coalition. "They will pay no more than $50 a year to insure all their children under the age of 19. Families worry about providing for their children's healthcare needs, and now families can rest assured that their children will get the care they need."

Private health insurance averages $900 a month in Texas, according to the state's Department of Insurance. Because many working families are unable to secure health insurance at this price, CHIP and Medicaid are important to the futures of Texas children. CHIP and Medicaid provide comprehensive health benefits, including doctor visits and check-ups, prescription drugs, dental exams and treatment, eye exams and glasses, hospital care and mental health services.

Much of the data cited above is taken from the report "Beyond ABC: Growing Up in Dallas County," a comprehensive quality-of-life report on the children in our community published by Children's Medical Center Dallas. The report is available free online here: http://www.childrens.com/documents/BeyondABC07.pdf.

About CHIP

CHIP is a state-federal insurance program that provides health benefits for millions of children annually. This program is designed for working families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance. To qualify for CHIP or Children's Medicaid, a child must be under age 19, a Texas resident and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. CHIP enrollment fees and co-payments are based on the family's income. Enrollment fees are $50 or less per family for each 12-month term of eligibility and most co-payments for doctor visits and prescription drugs range from $3 to $10. For a list of benefits offered through CHIP or to obtain an application, the public may call 2-1-1 or visit www.chipmedicaid.org.

About Minyard Food Stores

Locally owned Minyard Food Stores Inc. has served the community for more than 75 years and is the only grocer headquartered in the Metroplex. The company operates 21 Minyard, 12 Sack'n Save and 25 Carnival stores in North Texas. More information and a store locator are at www.minyards.com.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category