United Way Worldwide is pleased to accept the Secretary’s Challenge to help cover all eligible children not enrolled in health insurance coverage. Our ten-year goal is to increase by one-third the number of children and adults who are healthy and avoid risky behaviors. One of our measures for success will be the number of children with health insurance coverage, which is vital for improving access to care as well as overall health. As a result, the United Way system continues to advocate for policies that support expanding coverage and access; and we are on-the-ground enrolling eligible children in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in local communities throughout the United States. We look forward to strengthening our ongoing efforts to further advance children’s health insurance coverage. 

1. Cut red tape
United Ways throughout the country continue to advocate for simplifying enrollment and renewal. CHIPRA gives states new tools and incentives for boosting enrollment. States that reach specified enrollment targets are eligible for additional federal funds. United Way and coalition partners continue to advocate for states to take steps to qualify for the performance bonus and then invest in the outreach necessary to meet the enrollment target. 

2. Forge connections between Medicaid & CHIP and other programs
The United Way system is incorporating health insurance coverage outreach into our existing work in education, income, and health. Spanning our work from early childhood education to assisting adults with income tax assistance, United Way incorporates outreach and enrollment of children in health insurance. 

3. Put technology to work to enroll and retain children
United Ways throughout the country use 2-1-1, an effective channel for disbursing information regarding health insurance coverage. 2-1-1 call specialists can evaluate callers to assess if children in the home have health insurance coverage and if they may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. Specialists can direct callers to the most convenient place to get application assistance. In some cases, specialists provide application assistance themselves to help callers complete the application over the phone.

4. Create opportunities to enroll or renew coverage
United Ways work to expand opportunities to connect eligible children with health insurance coverage by working with businesses that employ eligible workers. We share resources about eligibility requirements and provide opportunities for employees to enroll at their workplace. United Way connects the newly eligible by leveraging opportunities where individuals seek job assistance, including the unemployment office, job fairs, or job-training programs. We target communities where employers have down-sized, supporting “rapid response” services during which outreach workers provide application assistance for a host of benefits. 

5. Enlist new partners
The United Way system continues to engage partners to enroll more eligible children in health insurance coverage. We work with a wide range of partners including community organizations, elected officials, neighborhood leaders, business leaders, volunteer advocates and donors, the media, community clinics, schools, physicians, and faith-based organizations. We recognize the importance of working with anyone who has contact or credibility with families who might need health insurance coverage.