Kids Will Benefit from Extension of Medicaid to More Adults – Thank you, Gov. Hickenlooper!
Gov. John Hickenlooper this week announced that his administration will seek to strengthen and grow Medicaid as directed by the federal health reform law, the Affordable Care Act. More than 160,000 Coloradans, including nearly 22,000 parents, would be eligible for Medicaid coverage under the proposed expansion. The Children’s Campaign applauds the move because research shows covering parents is one of the best ways to make sure children get the health care they need to stay healthy and grow up strong. Parents who have health coverage are more likely to insure their kids and take them to the doctor.
Colorado is a leader among states in getting kids the care they need, when they need it, through programs like Medicaid and the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). Roughly 120,000 Colorado kids are uninsured and more than 80,000 of those children are eligible for Medicaid or CHP+, but are not enrolled. Extending Medicaid eligibility to more adults, and particularly parents, is a proven strategy for covering more kids and supporting healthy families that will lead to a more productive and successful future for Colorado. Working together to pass policies like this Medicaid expansion, we can make sure Colorado families are healthy and strong.
To learn more about Medicaid, read stories of Coloradans who are covered by the program and find out how you can support Medicaid, visit InsuringOurFuture.org.
Read more about the announcement from the state, The Denver Post and on our website.
