wfn.org | New Jersey United Methodists to help uninsured children

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

July 25, 2002	News media contact: Linda Bloom7(212) 870-38037New York
10-21-71B{325}

By Daniel B. Casselberry*

TRENTON, N.J. (UMNS)-- United Methodist Bishop Alfred Johnson of New Jersey
and executives from two major health care organizations have formed a
partnership to increase the number of insured children throughout the state.

The announcement came during a July 24 press conference at St. Paul's United
Methodist Church in Trenton. Johnson said the partnership also would provide
community education on child health issues and preventive medicine in accord
with United Methodist Council of Bishops' Initiative on Children and
Poverty. 

The bishop was joined by Heidi Smith, director of NJ Family Care, the
state's plan for providing health coverage for children, and Velvet G.
Miller, president and chief executive officer of Horizon/Mercy, New Jersey's
largest managed health care organization serving the publicly insured.

They outlined an ambitious project to dramatically increase the number of
children enrolled for health care coverage under the NJ Family Care plan.
"Our goal is to see that all eligible children be enrolled to receive the
important health benefits provided under NJ Family Care," Johnson said, "and
this new partnership will help ensure the realization of that goal."

Miller echoed the enthusiasm of the bishop: "Persisting with passion and
skill, together we can make important things happen for the children of New
Jersey."

Of the approximately 164,695 children eligible for insurance through NJ
Family Care, only 95,870, or 58.2 percent, are enrolled, leaving 41.8
percent of eligible children uninsured.  The statewide partnership is
involved in implementing new strategies to enhance participation of children
in the NJ Family Care plan through public education initiatives as well as
direct enrollment through the church's Shalom sites and local congregations.

For the first phase of the partnership, five Shalom sites in Willingboro,
Jersey City, Newark, Port Morris and Asbury Park have expressed strong
interest in participation and have received training in taking applications
for new NJ Family Care enrollees. 

During the second phase, in late summer and early fall, the number of United
Methodist sites for taking applications will be expanded to local churches
where persons have been appropriately trained.  NJ Family Care also will
provide training for any other interested congregations. 

# # #
 
*Casselberry is associate editor of the United Methodist Relay, area news
publication of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United
Methodist Church. 
 

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United Methodist News Service
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