Child Health in an Era of Health Reform
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Policy makers, child health leaders and advocates gathered to discuss children’s health insurance coverage and quality care as Arkansas implements the Affordable Care Act. Experts identified the best ways we can support children and families by making the most of federal opportunities to enroll more children—and keep them enrolled—in ARKids First. The summit also addressed how families can make the most of their health insurance coverage.
Agenda and Keynote Bios (PDF)
Presentations and Additional Resources by Agenda Topic
Power point presentations, available video content, and additional resources below.
Welcome
Rich Huddleston, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
What ARKids Means to a Local Family
Kristin Cia, Parent
Setting the Stage: Finish Line Coalition goals and progress
Elisabeth Wright Burak, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (PDF)
Promising Efforts Already Underway to Reach Children and Their Families
John Selig, Arkansas Department of Human Services
National Perspective and Arkansas Opportunities
Joan Alker, Georgetown Center for Children and Families (PDF)
Joan discussed an overview of the current state of children's coverage from a new analysis of 2008 Census data and new opportunities under the Affordable Care Act. Specific slides of note:
Arkansas coverage landscape 2010 (PDF)
Arkansas coverage landscape 2014 under the Affordable Care Act (PDF)
AR Uninsured Children by Region (2008 data) From New National and State Estimates from the 2008 American Community Survey (Urban Institute and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, August 2010). See page 44 for Arkansas data.
National perspective and Arkansas opportunities.
Donna Cohen Ross, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (PDF)
Donna provided an overview of current federal efforts to reach all 5 million children who are eligible for programs like ARKids First but are not enrolled. We hope to see hundreds of Arkansas organizations sign on to the Connecting Kids to Coverage Challenge - visit www.Challenge.gov/hhs/54. Louisiana's efforts to enroll and retain children in Medicaid and CHIP were mentioned during Q&A. For more information on Louisiana's efforts, see The Louisiana Experience: Successful Steps to Improve Retention in Medicaid and CHIP by Georgetown Center for Children and Families.
National perspective and Arkansas opportunities: Donna Cohen Ross.
The Wisconsin Experience: Making the Most of Medicaid for Kids, Taking Advantage of the New Health Law (PDF)
Jason Helgerson, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wisconsin Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson discussed his state's efforts to successful expand coverage to 95% of the state's population, with strategic use of Medicaid and CHIP and a simplified enrollment and renewal process through Access Wisconsin. He also discussed the state's plans to take full advantage of the Affordable Care Act, especially in design of the Benefits Exchange.
PANEL: Getting Children Enrolled and Keeping Them Enrolled
Moderator: Dr. Eddie Ochoa, Associate Professor, UAMS College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics; Assistant Professor, UAMS College of Public Health, Department of Health Policy & Management
Panelists:
Rebekah Dixon, Chief Operating Officer, South Arkansas Regional Health Center
Cambre Horne-Brooks, Director of Development, Community Clinic at St. Francis House (PDF)
Frank Scott, Deputy Director for Policy, Office of Governor Mike Beebe
PANEL: Using the ARKids First or other Insurance Card: Ensuring Children Access to Quality Care
Moderator: Dr. Creshelle Nash, Medical Director, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, Assistant Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management Assistant Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Panelists:
Tamara Baker, School Wellness Center Coordinator, Arkansas Department of Health: New School Wellness Center Locations (JPG)
Elaine Dupree, Community & Professional Education Project Program Manager, UAMS Delta AHEC
Kathryn Hazelett, Director or Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Arkansas Office of Health Information Technology
Sip Mouden, Chief Executive Officer, Community Health Centers of Arkansas (PDF)
Additional Helpful Background Information
How the New Health Law Will Impact Arkansas Children and Families (AACF, March 2010)
Crossing the Finish Line 2010: Moving Toward Covering More Kids (AACF, May 2010)
New National and State Estimates from the 2008 American Community Survey (Urban Institute and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, August 2010). See page 44 for Arkansas data.
Connecting Kids to Coverage: http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/
Summit Media Coverage
KTHV story
Fox16 story