New service set up in Minnesota to provide healthcare to needy children

posted by Michael Hanson

The Minnesota Coalition for Kids Health Coverage has announced it is launching a new resource for families across the state who have children lacking health insurance coverage to get them set up with affordable healthcare options.

The coalition will launch HealthyKidsMN.org, a new website that is funded in part by a two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To help get children in less fortunate families connected to health insurance policies that do not cost too much, the website will serve all 87 counties in the state

Partners with the coalition who are helping to launch the project include numerous healthcare providers across the state, including Portico Healthnet, Duluth-based Generations Health Care Initiatives, Rochester-based Olmsted County Community Action Partnership and St. Cloud Area Legal Services.

"One of the biggest challenges our coalition faces is getting the message out that, even if you work, your uninsured children may still qualify for free or reduced-cost health coverage from the state," said Debra Holmgren, executive director of Portico. "The locally based non-profit partners in this effort will walk families through the complicated eligibility criteria based on their own individual circumstances, and will even assist with the application process itself if desired."

She added that the services provided through the website would come at no charge to families interested in them.