Virginia is one of eight states to receive $1 million in funding and support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help cover more of the state’s uninsured children.

Tim Kaine

Gov. Tim Kaine announced that the grant would be used by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistant Services to increase retention of eligible children in that state’s FAMIS and FAMIS Plus (children’s Medicaid) insurance programs.

“This is great news for Virginia’s families, especially during these difficult times when many are losing their health insurance, leaving their children uninsured,” Kaine said in a statement. “Many families may need this bridge until they can afford health insurance again for their children. With the support of this grant, DMAS will be able to focus resources on retaining eligible children in our health insurance programs and on identifying new opportunities for maximizing enrollment.”

In Virginia, it is projected that there are more than 120,000 eligible children not enrolled in available health insurance programs, according to the governor’s office. Virginia covers children up to 200% of the federal poverty limit, or $44,100 annual income for a family of four.

Nationally, 8.7 million children are uninsured, according to the most recent government data, with most eligible for public health insurance, but not enrolled.

Virginia joins Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin as recipients of the four-year “Maximizing Enrollment for Kids” grant. Program leaders said Virginia was selected for demonstrating a strong commitment to increasing children’s enrollment in heath insurance, even in the face of difficult economic times.

The program is being launched as states prepare to receive more federal support for enrollment efforts through the recent extension of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. In February, President Barack Obama signed a four-and-a-half year extension of that program that will require $32.8 billion in funding.

John R. Lumpkin, senior vice-president and director of the Health Care Group at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation said “while all Americans need health coverage, it is especially important for children.”

“Making sure that children have access to all their checkups and immunizations, as well as the care they need when they get sick, is critical to help them grow and learn,” Lumpkin said in a statement. “Congress and President Obama have taken action to provide the resources for these children to have health insurance, now we need to do our part. We are partnering with Virginia and seven other states across the nation to increase enrollment and use their experiences to help others.”