Maybe there's a stigma attached to government-sponsored insurance. These are problems that are being addressed, for kids right now who need the care, and for many more family members who shouldn't be overlooked. Now, Gov. Whitman is setting aside additional state dollars so the parents of KidCare-eligible children also receive healthcare insurance benefits. We applaud that initiative. A new FamilyCare program is one more step toward a healthier community overall and a more efficient, accessible healthcare system.
Families can assure they're receiving a solid foundation of healthcare.
In the meantime, until a broader program is up and running, a number of New Jersey hospitals are part of the effort to enroll more kids in KidCare. Two in particular leap out as deserving recognition. St. Mary's Hospital in Passaic has enrolled about 2,000 children in NJ KidCare since 1998, largely by reaching out to the community's Hispanic population. And St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, also in Passaic County, is running a pilot project to enroll children. It is reaching into the records of its pediatric practice to identify uninsured children, perusing the charity care rolls for KidCare candidates and establishing a toll-free phone line for parents.