Many Parents Choose Not To Apply For State-Sponsored Health Care

Tuesday, September 4th 2007, 6:22 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma health care officials say the state is working to enroll as many eligible children as possible in state-sponsored health care programs. In 2005, 72% of the 506,000 Oklahoma children eligible for Medicaid were participating in the program.

At just under three-quarters of eligible Oklahoma children participating, the state leads the region in enrollment rates, beating out Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas in 2005.

According to 2006 projections, that figure rose to 83% of eligible children enrolled. The state was lauded in an American Academy of Pediatrics publication for its efforts.

Many children in Oklahoma whose families make less than 185% of the federal poverty rate qualify for Medicaid, yet they are not enrolled in the program.

To find out more about Soonercare, click here.