Dear Editor:

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, nearly 46 million Americans have no health insurance, including nearly 8.3 million children.   More than half of these children are African American or Latino.  The good news is that most of them are eligible for FREE health care coverage through Healthy Start Healthy Families.  This program provides free medical coverage for children to age 19, pregnant women, and parents with minor children in the household.  It covers doctor, dental, and vision appointments, physicals, mental health services, immunizations, prescriptions, hospital care, substance abuse services, and more.  Eligibility is based on income and family size.  Applying is easy!

The Foundation’s national Back to School Campaign seeks to get eligible children and parents enrolled.  During the months of August and September, individuals and organizations from every sector of society across the country will come together to raise awareness about uninsured children.  The campaign will encourage parents to enroll their eligible, uninsured children in Healthy Start Healthy Families.  This is an important part of getting them ready for the school year.  It’s a time to get sports physicals, immunizations, and medical, vision, and dental check-ups.  When children are healthy, they are better prepared to learn in the classroom and stay active on the playing field, they miss less school, and their parents miss less work.

For more information or to have an application mailed to you, call 419-241-HEALTH (4325) or go to WTOL.com’s Health and Family or Community Information Pages and click on the Healthy Start logo.

Please spread the word about the Back to School Campaign so our children will be healthier and ready to learn in the classroom this fall.

Sincerely,

JULI MCCARROLL, Coordinator

Covering Kids and Families Toledo Project

Neighborhood Health Association

(419) 259-4512 x218