Children and pregnant mothers in working families are the target of a new program called Denali KidCare. The program is aimed at low income families who have a working member; the program is limited to individuals who do not exceed twice the federal poverty level, and recipients must either be children under 18 or pregnant mothers.
The program provides all the benefits of Medicaid, including free prescriptions, in-office and hospital care. The program also does away with much of the bureaucracy of the Medicaid system, and also does not require that recipients be on public assistance, nor do they have to go into the Public Assistance Office. To accomplish this, Denali KidStart will have its own office in anchorage. The program is part of the Alaska Smart Start program, and is Alaska's part of the federal Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Governor Knowles added funding during his budget process during 1998, which is now coming to fruition. The program is handled through the State's Department of Health and Social Services.
If you know someone who might qualify, they can find out more by contacting Denali KidStart.They can be reached after march first at 1-888-312-8890 from outside anchorage, or 269-6529 from within Anchorage. They also have a web page, at <http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dma/denali.htm>. To reach them by mail:
Denali KidStart
PO Box 240047
Anchorage AK 99524-0047