Minyard, Carnival, Sack'n Save Host Children's Health Insurance Drive.

Grocers Help CHIP Coalition Target More Than 250,000 Uninsured North Texas Children

DALLAS -- The Dallas CHIP Coalition and Carnival, Minyard and Sack'n Save grocery stores announced that they plan to reach out to more than 250,000 working families to assist all eligible children apply for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Children's Medicaid. The application assistance drive will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in 14 Dallas/Fort Worth locations. Bilingual volunteers will help families learn about these health benefits and will assist them with the application process.

More than 1 million (31.3 percent) Texas children from families at or below 200 percent of the poverty threshold went uninsured for all of 2006, according to Census Bureau data released in August. These numbers are up from 886,000 (27.7 percent) in 2005. Nationally, 19 percent of children from families making at or below 200 percent of the poverty line went uninsured -- with Texas having both the highest number and percentage of children uninsured.

More than one in five children in Texas do not have health insurance, the highest rate in the nation. Half of these uninsured children are eligible for CHIP or Medicaid, but are not enrolled. Children without insurance do not get needed medical, dental or vision care. They also miss more school days due to illness than insured children and are more likely to visit an emergency room when needing health care.

"Assisting families secure needed health insurance for their children is an important initiative of the Carnival Minyard Foundation," says Michael D. Byars, president and CEO of Minyard Food Stores, Inc. Our stores and associate volunteers are happy to provide a convenient neighborhood location and time to assist families in applying for this affordable health coverage program. We pride ourselves on helping the communities we serve, and there is no better way than connecting them to vital programs that impact their lives such as CHIP."

Changes starting last Sept. 1 allow most families enrolled in CHIP to have coverage for a full 12 months, and most will no longer have to wait for 90 days to receive care. In addition, the asset limit was increased to $10,000 per household and childcare expenses are now considered when determining insurance eligibility. These improvements are meant to support working families by providing easier access to insurance and more comprehensive health care for children.

"The Children's Health Insurance Program serves families who don't get health coverage through their employers but who make too much to qualify for Medicaid," explains Julia Easley, chairwoman of the Dallas CHIP Coalition. "They will pay no more than $50 a year to insure all their children under the age of 19. Families worry about providing for their children's healthcare needs, and now families can rest assured that their children will get the care they need."

Private health insurance averages $900 a month in Texas, according to the state's Department of Insurance. Because many working families are unable to secure health insurance at this price, CHIP and Medicaid are important to the futures of Texas children. CHIP and Medicaid provide comprehensive health benefits, including doctor visits and check-ups, prescription drugs, dental exams and treatment, eye exams and glasses, hospital care and mental health services.

Families with uninsured children should bring a copy of each child's birth certificate, each applying child's social security number, a copy of the front and back of each applying child's alien registration cards (I-551) and proof of income for all family members. The parents' citizenship or immigration status does not affect a child's eligibility and is not reported on the application form.

A complete list of locations follows.

Carnival, Minyard and Sack'n Save store locations offering assistance with CHIP and Medicaid applications, Saturday, Oct. 13:

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Carnival Super Markets:     <  <  <  <  <  <





Minyard Stores:
Dallas:                     <  <  <  <  <  <





Dallas:
6401 Abrams                 <  <  <  <  <  <





1201 W. Camp Wisdom
2121 S. Buckner             <  <  <  <  <  <





8040 Ferguson Road
3434 W. Illinois            <  <  <  <  <  <





Lancaster:
3460 Webb Chapel Extension  <  <  <  <  <  <





1450 W. Pleasant Run Road
Grand Prairie:              <  <  <  <  <  <






1713 S. Belt Line Road      <  <  <  <  <  <





Sack 'n Save Stores:
Irving:                     <  <  <  <  <  <





Garland:
934 E. Grauwyler            <  <  <  <  <  <






101 W. Buckingham
Fort Worth                  <  <  <  <  <  <





Richardson:
102 N.W. 28th               <  <  <  <  <  <





1332 S. Plano Road
4812 N. S. Freeway          <  <  <  <  <  <





Arlington:
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1303 E. Park Row
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ABOUT CHIP

CHIP is a state-federal insurance program that provides health benefits for millions of children annually. This program is designed for working families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance. To qualify for CHIP or Children's Medicaid, a child must be under age 19, a Texas resident and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

CHIP enrollment fees and co-payments are based on the family's income. Enrollment fees are $50 or less per family for each 12-month term of eligibility and most co-payments for doctor visits and prescription drugs range from $3 to $10.

For a list of benefits offered through CHIP or to obtain an application, the public may call 2-1-1 or visit www.chipmedicaid.org.