By Ro Foege

Des Moines, Iowa "State Representative Ro Foege of Mount Vernon encouraged families without health care to sign up their children for the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa, or hawk-i.  "As a member of the task force that designed hawk-i, I am pleased that a new study released this month shows that number of uninsured kids has dropped by nearly 20,000 since 1997 because of programs like hawk-i," Foege said.

"We need to make sure that every child in Iowa has access to quality health care," said Foege. "We know that kids have a better chance of success in school if they have health insurance and stay healthy.  While we have made good progress over the last several years, on any given day there are 50,000 uninsured children in Iowa and we simply can't afford to let them slip through the cracks."  From the beginning of the program, Foege worked to make sure that parents and teachers know about the program and helped schools partner with parents in making sure that all children have regular medical, dental and behavioral health care.

hawk-i makes affordable health insurance coverage available to children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but too low to afford private family coverage. Iowa families of four earning up to $40,000 or more may qualify for hawk-i.  Depending on income guidelines, children are eligible for free or low cost health insurance.  Most children eligible for free or reduced meals in school are probably eligible for hawk-i.

"The bill that enacted hawk-i is one of the most important and gratifying pieces of legislation of which I have been a sponsor" said Foege.  I am particularly pleased to be a part of this important effort, because I believe that providing health services to children is both morally and fiscally responsible. It supports and nurtures our kids, and it saves public money and resources down the road”.

To find out if children are eligible or sign up, call toll-free (877) KIDS-NOW.  Information is also available at www.hawk-i.org and local schools or doctor's offices.