Are you concerned about health insurance for Alaska’s children? Join Anchorage Faith and Action—Congregations Working Together

What: Public Meeting on Denali KidCare and Children’s Health Insurance

When: Sunday, April 29, 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Where: Central Lutheran Church, 1420 Cordova

Guest Speakers: Mary Hughes, State Director for Senator Lisa Murkowski; and Dr. Karleen Jackson, Commissioner, Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services

For more information, contact AFACT at 297-7731. AFACT—Anchorage Faith and Action—Congregations Together—is a congregation-based community organization with 15 member congregations addressing significant community issues.

At this time, the US Congress is considering whether the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) should be reauthorized. In Juneau, the Alaska Legislature is considering whether eligibility for Denali KidCare should be expanded or contracted. Denali KidCare has the third lowest eligibility level in the US and, because of the way the law was written, each year some children are eliminated from the program because eligibility rates were frozen in 2003 and do not adjust for inflation.

The federal government covers 70% of the cost of Denali KidCare. Children without health insurance get less preventive care and are four times more likely to use expensive emergency room care. In 2004, hospitals in Anchorage provided $89 million in uncompensated care. These costs are passed on to Alaska’s businesses and individuals in higher insurance premiums and out-of-pocket health costs. If you are concerned about health coverage for your children and grandchildren, if you are concerned about health coverage for everyone’s children and grandchildren, come and participate in this public meeting and learn more about the issue and what you can do about it.

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