April 23, 2007 – St. John Medical Center and Saint Francis Hospital today announced they are joining to support the expansion of federal and state programs to cover uninsured children as part of national Cover the Uninsured Week, April 23-27.
A key issue of Cover the Insured Week is expansion in enrollment of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), known as SoonerCare in Oklahoma. For the past 10 years, SCHIP has provided health coverage to children whose parents are either not offered health insurance for their children through their job, or who cannot afford the insurance offered. More than 6 million children are covered by SCHIP nationwide, with 365,507 in Oklahoma alone.
In support of Cover the Uninsured Week and the SCHIP program, St. John and Saint Francis will both host SoonerCare enrollment events on April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents may attend the events to learn more about SoonerCare health coverage and apply for healthcare benefits for children under age 19.
St. John’s event will take place in the Mary K. Chapman Health Plaza Annex Room, 1819 S. Wheeling. Saint Francis enrollment will take place at the Saint Francis Hospital Education Center, 6161 S. Yale.
“Too many children in our community and our nation are uninsured and do not receive the care they need,” said David Pynn, chief executive officer, St. John Medical Center and chief operating officer, St. John Health System. “There has never been a more important time for us to come together and support federal efforts to provide health coverage to children.”
Through events such as those taking place during Cover the Uninsured Week, Congress is encouraged to continue its support of the SCHIP program, as well as increase funding levels for these state programs. According to Cover the Uninsured Week experts, an increase in federal funding is required to cover the kids currently enrolled in these programs, with more money needed to cover additional uninsured children.
“Improving the health of our nation starts with our children,” says Jake Henry Jr., president and chief executive officer of Saint Francis Health System.” If we as healthcare providers can give them a healthy start, then there is a foundation for change. It is not just about insurance, but also about education. Through the joint efforts of hospitals and many social agencies, it is our hope that childhood diseases can be controlled and that healthy habits can reduce the incidences of diabetes and obesity.”
Now in its fifth year, the Cover the Uninsured campaign is the largest mobilization in history to shine a national spotlight on the need to secure health coverage for all Americans. Sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this year’s effort is galvanizing a broad network of business owners, union members, teachers, students, consumers, doctors, nurses and faith leaders to focus on the need for children to have health insurance. Organizers are planning activities that highlight the success of SCHIP, demonstrate the ongoing need for the program and enroll eligible families in available coverage programs.
For more information on the campaign and events taking place, go to www.CoverTheUninsured.org.
