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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Groups Push to Get Thousands of MA Kids Covered by Month's End

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011   

BOSTON - Despite the fact that Massachusetts has the highest coverage rates for health insurance in the nation, at 98 percent, there are still thousands of kids across the state without it, and that's why state and federal officials are kicking off an effort at the State House today as part of a month-long effort to get as many kids covered as possible.

The non-profit organization Health Care For All (HCFA) has garnered support from 65 organizations from around the state to double up on outreach efforts and to raise awareness.

Dayanne Leal, children's health policy and outreach manager with Health Care For All, says part of the problem is that many adults find it difficult to navigate the health care system, and there are also language barriers.

"We translated these postcards into eight different languages, so we have English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, Amharic, Haitian-Creole and Vietnamese."

Leal adds that many kids fall through the cracks after a family moves, because they are unaware that their information needs to be updated with MassHealth. Leal suggests calling HCFA's toll-free help line, which is staffed with volunteers who speak English, Portuguese and Spanish; arrangements can also be made for those who speak other languages. (The number is 1-800-272-4232.)

The statewide effort in Massachusetts is part of a national campaign, says Christie Hager, the regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"And Massachusetts is particularly positioned to achieve full enrollment for kids. There's a long history here of policy priorities to expand access to coverage and, importantly, a long history of working in broad coalitions to achieve that goal."

Hager will join several state legislators and members from over 50 organizations, as well as children from the Josiah Quincy Elementary School, at the State House in Boston this morning to kick off the campaign to close the health care coverage gap.

The event begins at 9:00 a.m. in Room 222 at the State House.




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