Idaho School Nurses Get Help To Enroll 27,000 Kids In State’s Health Plan

Regence Foundation’s $10,000 Grant Supports The Cover Idaho Kids Project

March 11, 2009

The Regence Foundation has announced a $10,000 grant to Mountain States Group to fund its Cover Idaho Kids Project. The program will help school nurses in 15 rural Idaho school districts enroll uninsured children in the Idaho Health Plan Coverage for Children and Teens program (formerly called the CHIP/Medicaid Program).

"It is estimated that 27,000 Idaho children are income-eligible for the state health insurance plan, but have not been enrolled," said Michael Alexander, Regence Foundation board chair. "That is simply too many children without health care. At The Regence Foundation, we believe the Cover Idaho Kids Project can significantly increase the number of children with health insurance, especially in rural communities, through partnerships with school nurses."

The Regence Foundation grant will enable Mountain States Group to provide technical assistance and ongoing support to school nurses in 15 rural Idaho school districts, including American Falls, Bruneau-Grand View, Caldwell, Cassia County (Burley), Glenns Ferry, Hansen, Kamiah, Minidoka County (Rupert), Murtaugh, Notus, Parma, Plummer-Worley, Valley (Hazelton), Weiser and Wilder.

The Cover Idaho Kids Project is operated by Mountain States Group. The Boise-based group is committed to increasing the number of Idaho children covered by health insurance and works with hospitals and clinics, schools and youth groups, community-based organizations and the media to encourage participation in Idaho's health coverage programs for children.

"I'm pleased that the Regence Foundation recognizes this important need in Idaho," said John Stellmon, President of Regence BlueShield of Idaho and a Regence Foundation board member. "And the partnership with Mountain States Group will ensure that nurses in these school districts can assist the children in need."

For more information about The Regence Foundation, please visit www.regencefoundation.org.

About The Regence Foundation
The Regence Foundation is the corporate foundation of The Regence Group, the largest health insurer in the Northwest/Intermountain region and a not-for-profit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. A 501(c)3 grantmaking organization, the Foundation partners with organizations driving significant change in health care delivery and accessibility in Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Starting in spring 2009, the Foundation will also partner with organizations addressing end-of-life issues.