On Saturday, September 10, the Earthquakes will join other MLS teams across the country in supporting the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Covering Kids & Families Back-to-School Campaign by declaring "Children's Health Care Coverage Days" at Spartan Stadium.
The Earthquakes take on Chivas USA at 7 p.m. at Spartan Stadium, and fans will receive information upon entering the stadium, as the campaign encourages parents of America's 8.4 million uninsured children to find out if their children are eligible for Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Enrolling eligible children in these programs is an important part of getting them ready for the new school year. The Earthquakes and MLS will work to educate fans about these programs and how children can be enrolled.
Since 1998, the number of uninsured children in America has declined by nearly 2 million. Despite this success, however, more than 7 out of every 10 uninsured children are eligible for low-cost or free health care coverage through Medicaid or SCHIP, but are not enrolled. Many eligible children come from working families whose parents may not realize their children are eligible for this coverage.
During "Children's Health Care Coverage Day," the Earthquakes will promote the 1(877) KIDS-NOW toll-free information number at the game and in game programs and distribute information about free or low-cost health coverage.
This year's campaign focuses on reaching African-American and Hispanic parents whose children are uninsured, but may be eligible for low-cost or free health care coverage through Medicaid or the SCHIP. According to research released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, uninsured Hispanic and African-American children are less likely to receive medical care than uninsured white children. Nationally, more than 40 percent (41.4 percent) of uninsured Hispanic children went without any medical care during the year, compared to just a quarter (25.7 percent) of uninsured white children. And uninsured African American children (14.7 percent) are less likely to receive all needed medical care compared to uninsured white children (3.9 percent).
For more information on other Back-to-School Campaign activities, log on to www.coveringkidsandfamilies.org.
About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Covering Kids & Families operates through statewide and local projects in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and is a National Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 30 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. Helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need-the Foundation expects to make a difference in our lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
