Thousands of uninsured New Jersey kids eligible for low-cost health care plans, officials say

SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — South Jersey health officials and community leaders want to spread the word that thousands of uninsured kids are eligible for free or low-cost health care .

16,000 children lost health insurance in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem Counties in just a few months last year. Officials say it was mostly due to paperwork not being filed. In Camden alone, there are approximately 3,000 children who are not connected to insurance.

Victor Murray with the Camden Coalition is among community leaders who spread the word so parents know where and how to sign up. He says families of three earning $88,000 or less meet the income requirements for New Jersey Family Care.

“Most children who live in households above that income level may qualify for Get Covered All Kids or the New Jersey Marketplace or Affordable Care Act,” he said.

Murray says it’s important to note that a family’s immigration status does not exclude their kids from health coverage.

New Jersey resident Carina Sanchez Lopez says two of her kids recently broke their arms playing sports. She says getting this coverage made all the difference.

“The good news is I have insurance and I don’t have to worry for nothing at all, no medicines, no dental,” she said.

Governor Phil Murphy has proposed an additional $100 million in next year’s budget to cover more kids.

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