Public forum on children’s health insurance planned

Hawai‘i Covering Kids, a project of the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association currently funded by AlohaCare, Hawai‘i State Department of Human Services, HMSA Foundation, and NFL Pro Bowl Charities will host a public forum, “Children’s Health Insurance Eligibility: Recent Federal Policies and Their Implications for Hawai‘i,” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, at the State Capitol Auditorium.

Edwin Park, senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Caroline Rivas, policy director for the Community Health Councils, will be the featured presenters and Barbara Luksch of Hawai‘i Covering Kids will facilitate.

Topics include the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) August 17 Directive, and the Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) program. Organizers will also provide information about the new National Covering Kids & Families Network and Hawai‘i’s progress on providing health insurance coverage for all kids. Refreshments ill be provided. Click here for more information or call (808) 536-8442 or email coverkids@aol.com.