Federal Poverty Guideline

How state and federal health reform affects children

In the wake of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the state overhaul of Medicaid and other health delivery systems, our first inclination is to consider how these changes will affect our bottom lines and whether or not the government is dipping into our pockets more than we want.

More than half of all Medicaid recipients in the state of Florida are children.

However, children account for only 19 percent of the Medicaid budget. Children do not vote, they do not lobby the Legislature, and they do not contact the press.

How can we ensure that Florida’s children receive the health care they need? This article, in an effort to give a voice to those children affected by health care reform, will provide a brief explanation of the existing programs pre-reform, followed by a discussion of how state and federal reforms affect children in Florida.

There are several programs that combine to create a complicated health care delivery system for children. Prior to health care reform, there was family Medicaid (FAMMEDS), the Florida Children’s Health Insurance Program (KidCare and CMS), and private employer-sponsored health care.

A child’s eligibility for these programs depends on family income and whether or not an affordable employer-sponsored health insurance plan exists.

Medicaid. For children living in homes within 100 percent of the federal poverty level, the traditional family Medicaid program provides health insurance coverage. Children on Medicaid cost the state and federal government around $1,600 per child per year compared to the adult cost of about $2,800 per adult per year.

The Medicaid program is a combined state and federal program. The federal government’s contribution to the state Medicaid budget depends on the per capita income of Florida residents compared to the national per capita income. In 2011 the federal government will pay Florida for about 55 percent of the total Medicaid budget.

CHIP. The Florida Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was created in 1997 and was the largest taxpayer-funded expansion to children’s health insurance since the Medicaid program began in the 1960s.

Apple Tree Project | Lifestyles of Denton County

Back-to-School Assistance

The Apple Tree Project was created by Condell Garden, Executive Director of Interfaith Ministries and is a Denton ISD approved Adopt-A-School Program that works closely with school counselors and staff to equip children in need with essential items needed for school. Currently, over 41% of children enrolled in Denton ISD live in poverty as defined by the Federal Poverty Guidelines. That’s over 9,908 children who may not have the basic items like clothing, shoes, and supplies needed for school.

The Apple Tree Project  is a holistic resource for back-to-school assistance. Our primary goal is to promote success in education by equipping economically disadvantaged children with the essential items needed in order to start off the school year on a competitive level with their peers. The Apple Tree Project is set up similarly to the Salvation Army Angel Tree. Low income families with children in Denton ISD can register their kids to receive a complete set of school supplies, 2 sets of school clothing, a new backpack, and a $25 gift card for new shoes. Each child is represented as an “Apple” that people can pick out and sponsor by purchasing 2 sets of school appropriate clothing. Cash donations will be used to purchase school supplies, backpacks, and shoes in bulk. The children will receive these items on August 20th, in preparation for the start of school the following Monday.

We bring organizations together in a collaborative effort to help more children and reduce service duplication. In 2010, we partnered with twenty businesses, twenty-three churches, nine civic groups, and five foundations to assist 1,224 children with essential items needed for back-to-school. With the community’s help, the Apple Tree Project hopes to assist over 1,300 children with their essential school items. Providing school essentials to children in need is an investment in their educational and overall success.

Families are also invited to participate in a Back-to-School Health and Safety Fair at the First United Methodist Church in conjunction with the supplies distribution. Free services such as immunizations, vision testing, haircuts, and more will be available to Denton County families.

If you would like to donate to the cause, adopt an Apple, or learn more about how you or your organization can get involved, please contact Ann Pape at Interfaith Ministries of Denton, Inc. annpape@ifmdenton.org (940) 566-5927.

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