On October 25, 2010, the National Covering Kids and Families Network hosted a webinar to present new data on who the uninsured children are and where they live, as well as new research on effective messaging to reach families of uninsured children who are eligible but not enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.
Jenny Kenney and Juliana Macri from the Urban Institute discussed data published in the new chartbook: “Uninsured Children: Who Are They and Where Do They Live?” This research, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is based on data from the American Community Survey. The chartbook is a rich national and state-by-state source of demographic information about uninsured children, and provides a breakdown on the rates of uninsurance based on certain geographic regions within states. The availability of this kind of detail at the state level provides new insight to states and community based organizations that conduct outreach and provide application assistance to eligible families.
While it is interesting to look at the national data, it is even more important to compare state data to national data and to other states. For example, I was recently in Alaska and pointed out that the rate of uninsurance for Alaskan children ages 6-12 was higher than younger or older kids, and much higher than the national average for this age group. This suggests that more targeted outreach through middle schools might be effective in reaching this target group.
Of particular interest in the data is the number of uninsured children whose families receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP, previously known as food stamps). Express lane eligibility (ELE), a new tool provided through the CHIP reauthorization act, could enable states to enroll these children with the consent of the family. Through ELE, there is no need for families to complete a separate Medicaid/CHIP application and provide paperwork to prove their income eligibility (which has already been provided to the SNAP agency).
In addition to these new data, the webinar presented findings from focus groups conducted over the summer to identify effective messages to reach eligible families. Alison Betty from GMMB, a communications firm that supported the Covering Kids and Covering Kids & Families initiatives presented the results of their work with Lake Research Partners in refreshing our knowledge about effective messaging to potentially eligible children.
This focus groups reflected that we still have work to do simplifying and streamlining the eligibility and enrollment processes. Persistent issues, based on unsuccessful attempts to get clear information or obtain help in applying, discourage families from tackling the process again. Additionally, some families, including the newly unemployed, aren’t sure if their children are eligible. This insight helps us craft outreach messages that resonate with families of eligible but not enrolled kids.
The webinar also featured ideas presented by Colleen Chapman, CCF’s Communications Director, on the importance of using trusted messengers and the potential use of social media communications tools to reach families.
It’s terrific to have this new information to effectively target our outreach and advocacy efforts. Thanks to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for continuing to add to our base of knowledge to advance coverage for children.
