Minn. nonprofits receive federal funding to help uninsured children

A coalition of Minnesota nonprofits has been awarded nearly a $1 million by the U.S. Government to get more uninsured children signed up for state-subsidized health programs.

Over the next two years, the Minnesota Coalition for Kids Health Coverage hopes to enroll another 4,000 children in MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance. Debra Holmgren, executive director of Portico Healthnet, said thousands of kids are already eligible, but their parents are discouraged by an enrollment process that can seem as complicated as doing your taxes.

"It's not a difficult process if you know what questions to answer and if you know what materials to have gathered already together to do your taxes; well this is the same thing though," Holmgren said. "If you haven't done it every year it's difficult to know how to get started and how to put that information together."

Other Coalition members include Generations Health Care Initiatives in Duluth, the Olmsted Community Action Program in Rochester and St. Cloud Area Legal Services.

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