Improving Public Coverage for Children in New Jersey: Lessons from Covering Kids and Families in New Jersey
Evidence | Publications

Improving Public Coverage for Children in New Jersey: Lessons from Covering Kids and Families in New Jersey

Assessing the Impact of Covering Kids & Families Issue Brief
Published: Aug 30, 2008
Publisher: Princeton, NJ: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Health Medicaid and CHIP
Download
Full Publication
Authors

Chioma Uzoigwe

Sheila Hoag

Judith Wooldridge

Key Findings

Key Findings:

  • CKF grantees attempted to increase Medicaid and SCHIP enrollment and retention by conducting outreach to the public, health professionals and community agencies; simplifying the enrollment and retention process; and coordinating with state officials and agencies.
  • CKF grantees persisted with their goal of increasing health insurance coverage after their RWJF grant ended, although efforts were more limited in scope.
  • Efforts such as CKF remain relevant as evidenced in the rise in uninsured children in New Jersey from 7.5 percent in 1999 to 13.3 percent in 2006.
Health insurance coverage in New Jersey is threatened on all sides: private insurance coverage is eroding; the number of uninsured individuals is growing; and state budget pressure, combined with federal policy pressure, could lead to public insurance coverage cutbacks. This issue brief presents a historical review of the RWJF's Covering Kids & Families program in the state. The review shows that advocates for insurance coverage, working in concert with state officials, can positively impact public insurance policy and procedures, and can sustain this work even after funding ends.

How do you apply evidence?

Take our quick four-question survey to help us curate evidence and insights that serve you.

Take our survey