Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

Courtney Costello-Talk Radio News Service

Grant applications are now available through the Health and Human Services Department for organizations and state and local governments to receive between $25 thousand and $1 million to help uninsured children receive health care.

During a conference call with reporters, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, announced that that the funding will be coming from Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA), which was passed in February. It will provide $40 million in grants this year and a total of $100 million in grants over the next four years.

“This grant opportunity is going to be a great help to states and communities that are working hard to ensure kids and families are getting health care that they need even in the down turn,” said Colorado Governor Bill Ritter.

According to Sebelius, the grants will be primarily awarded towards cities and rural areas where there are high populations of uninsured children. Sebelius predicts the program will also allow states to reach out to over 4 million children who are currently uninsured.