CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch and Healthy Kids representatives today highlighted outreach efforts aimed at reaching the Governor’s goal of expanding health insurance coverage to another 10,000 New Hampshire children in the next three years.

Gov. Lynch joined representatives from New Hampshire Healthy Kids, Concord Hospital and the Dame School to highlight the school’s decision to join the 100 Percent Schools initiative, a partnership between local hospitals and school districts aimed at identifying uninsured children and assisting parents in enrolling their children in the Healthy Kids program.

“It’s back to school time here in New Hampshire, and we want to make sure children are going back to school with access to quality health care. Schools participating in the 100 Percent Schools initiative provide outreach to help uninsured families apply for coverage through New Hampshire Healthy Kids,” Gov. Lynch said. “When I talk to teachers, they tell me that one of the best things we can do to improve education is make sure kids are getting basic health care.”

Gov. Lynch has made it a priority to enroll 10,000 additional children in Healthy Kids, which provides affordable health insurance to low-income families, over the next three years. Gov. Lynch has also joined a national effort to urge Congress and the President to act now to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program by the Sept. 30th deadline. Congress is expected to vote on a bipartisan bill soon.

“No child in New Hampshire should go without the health care they need to stay well, or the health care they need to get better when they are sick. And no parent in New Hampshire should have to worry about being able to afford to take a sick child to the doctor,” Gov. Lynch said.

In addition last month Gov. Lynch sent a letter to President Bush, urging the president to reconsider drastic and sudden changes to the Children’s Health Insurance Program that jeopardized health insurance coverage for 2,000 New Hampshire children.

On August 17, state health officials received a letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services which included new requirements for states that wish to continue covering, or those seeking to extend coverage to children in families with incomes above 250 percent of the federal poverty level. These changes include requiring states to prove that they are covering 95 percent of children living below the 250 percent threshold before offering coverage to families above that level. The changes also include delay of a year or more in providing coverage, and requiring co-payments and premiums similar to private coverage.

“We are acting to help ensure our kids get the access to quality and affordable health care they need and deserve. It is my hope that we will get the help we need at the federal level as well,” Gov. Lynch said.