Author: Patsy Crawford | Posted: 10. September 2010 19:29
U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Arne Duncan has called on America’s schools to help lead the effort to enroll five million children in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) over the next five years. In a statement posted September 7, 2010 on the ED website, www.ed.gov, Secretary Arne Duncan addressed the issue of uninsured children as an “education challenge” because “if a child is not healthy, he or she cannot learn.” He noted that five million children are eligible for public health insurance coverage under Medicaid or CHIP but remain uninsured because families lack awareness of potential eligibility and how to enroll. He stated that “[we] need to educate families about this option they have for health coverage.” He stressed that “[t]here is a role for every member of the school community, including superintendents, principals, teachers, school nurses, and lunch room staff to get involved.” The Secretary stated that a coalition of partners ranging from state governors to national advocacy organizations support the national challenge to educate families and enroll students.
