Washington, D.C. - Last week, D.C. United's Freddy Adu and Jaime Moreno participated in the Covering Kids & Families Back-to-School Campaign kick-off in Washington, DC as the national spokespersons representing Major League Soccer. Covering Kids & Families encourages the 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.
As a national partner in the campaign, MLS will work to educate fans about these programs and how children can be enrolled. D.C. United designated two games during the month of August (August 13 vs. Chivas USA and August 20 vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy) as "Children's Health Care Coverage Days." At these events, United will have two Covering Kids & Families booths on the concourse for fans who may be interested and eligible. In addition, the team will air public service announcements featuring Adu and Moreno and will distribute information detailing the campaign.
"As a parent, I want what every parent wants - to see my children grow up happy and healthy," said D.C. United player and campaign spokesperson Jaime Moreno. "Every family deserves the security of knowing that if their children get hurt, they will get medical care and that the family won't go broke."
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 are from working families, and their parents may not realize their children could be eligible for this coverage.
"When a child has the security of health coverage, parents don't have to keep their kids off the playing field, afraid of an injury," said D.C. United player and campaign spokesperson Freddy Adu. "Health care coverage helps let kids be kids."
This is the first year of the partnership between Covering Kids & Families and MLS. During "Children's Health Care Coverage Days" at MLS stadiums around the country, teams will promote the 1(877) KIDS-NOW toll-free information number on Jumbotrons and in game programs and distribute information about free or low-cost health coverage. Team events will take place during home games during the month of August for the Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, L.A. Galaxy, MetroStars, Real Salt Lake and San Jose Earthquakes.
