April 21, 2022 by Natalie Cochran
The Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign – Taking Care of Teeth and Keeping Smiles Healthy
The Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign is a national outreach and enrollment initiative that aims to connect families with children and teens with Children’s Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This year’s campaign theme is to take care of teeth and keep smiles healthy. The mission is to:
- Raise awareness about health coverage available under these programs;
- Create opportunities for families to get their eligible children and teens signed up for coverage; and
- Motivate parents to enroll their children and teens and renew their coverage.
One in five children ages 5 to 11 years-old and one in seven adolescents ages 12 to 19 years-old have at least one untreated decayed tooth. Tooth decay can cause pain and the inability to sleep, eat or speak. Routine dental care and healthy oral health habits can prevent tooth decay and keep smiles healthy.
Under CHIP and Children’s Medicaid, kids have coverage for wide-ranging services including check-ups, x-rays, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, fillings, and more. The campaign emphasizes the importance of good oral health care routines throughout the year and encourages families to reach out to their providers to catch up on any missed care during the pandemic.
We have a special program dedicated to helping parents get medical coverage for their children. Our Connecting Texas Kids to Coverage Team can guide them through the enrollment process. Both CHIP and Medicaid offer free or low-cost health insurance for kids and teens. We can help your child begin or renew their benefits with the help of our paralegals and attorneys, who will act as a representative on their behalf.
You can apply for our free legal help by visiting www.lonestarlegal.org.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at http://www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
