Children without health insurance - it may seem unthinkable
in one of the richest places on earth, but that's the case for up to 90,000 youngsters in
Connecticut today. Nationally, an estimated ten million children go without medical
coverage, translating into a public health problem of monumental proportions.
In your work with children, you probably know working
families who can't afford or access health insurance. You probably know children who
rarely or never go to the doctor, dentist, optometrist or other health care professional.
You may even know parents whose children would qualify for
Medicaid, the current government-subsidized health program, but who don't apply for one
reason or another.
As usual, children are the innocent bystanders who suffer
the consequences. But help is on the way, and those who work with children and families
can be a part of the solution.
Connecticut's HUSKY Plan - `Healthcare for UninSured Kids and Youth' - will provide a
comprehensive health insurance program for youngsters up to age 19.
This is a truly historic initiative for our state. You've
probably heard about HUSKY on the news and may have wondered how you can get involved.
Actually, everyone who works with children and families can play a role in this exciting
initiative. We need to reach out to families with the message that HUSKY is the passport
to quality care and good health for their children. Child care providers, educators,
librarians and other professionals and advocates for children are in a unique position to
make a vital difference in young lives. You're on the front lines, and you can help
connect parents to the HUSKY Plan.
[The HUSKY Plan has a toll-free information line and an
internet website to give parents general information and applications about HUSKY.
The toll-free number is 1-877-CT-HUSKY (1-877-284-8759). If parents
already have received information and want to apply directly by telephone, they may call
1-800-656-6684. The internet website address is www.huskyhealth.com.]
Over the coming months, DSS will be contracting with
various community-based organizations including some child care centers and schools, to
participate in outreach and screening for eligibility.
In addition, the new School Readiness Act has a provision
for child care providers who take part in the Child Care Assistance Program. These
providers will be collecting medical and insurance information about children for DSS. So
child care providers are especially well-placed to get involved with bringing HUSKY to
thousands of families across the state.
HUSKY has been designed to serve children in working
families who now cannot afford or obtain health insurance. As Governor John G. Rowland has
said, "Every child should have a doctor and access to good medical care. No parent
should have to worry about whether a child has access to medical insurance."
Legislators of both parties were involved in the
development of HUSKY with the Governor's Office, Department of Social Services and the
Office of Policy and Management. In fact, Connecticut is one of the first states to apply
to access new federal dollars under the Children's Health Insurance Program (Title XXI of
the Social Security Act). HUSKY was unanimously passed in special legislative session last
October, supported by both federal and state funding.
HUSKY will be administered by DSS in two parts. HUSKY Part
A is an expanded version of the current Medicaid program for children. HUSKY Part B
is a brand new health insurance program for children -serving working families who are not
income-eligible for Part A.
In addition, two supplemental insurance components, to be
known as HUSKY Plus, will address intensive physical and behavioral health needs.
Once enrolled, families will be able to choose one of a number of managed care
organizations on contract with the state.
The entire program will be marketed under the nick-name of
HUSKY, with the goal of bringing as many children as possible under the health insurance
umbrella. The unified outreach and enrollment under HUSKY will hopefully eliminate the
perceived stigma that now prevents some parents from applying for Medicaid.
While the plan's details are complex, the message is simple
- If you don't have health insurance for your child, call HUSKY.
This is the message you can give to parents.
The benefits package is comprehensive. It includes:
- Preventative care
- Outpatients physician visits
- Prescription medicines
- Inpatient hospital and physician services
- Outpatient surgical facility
- Mental health and substance abuse services
- Short-term rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Skilled nursing facility, home health care, hospice care
- Diagnostic x-ray and laboratory
- Emergency care
- Durable medical equipment
- Eye care and hearing exams
- Dental care (including orthodontia)
The HUSKY Plan will be free or low-cost, depending on family size and income.
Families with incomes too high to receive subsidized
insurance through HUSKY will be able to buy into the plan at a group premium rate.
This is especially significant, because it means that all families, regardless of income,
will have access to an affordable health insurance program for the children.
With HUSKY, the state of Connecticut is declaring that
every child should have access to quality health care. With your participation over the
coming months and years, we can reach this essential goal.
