The Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council and its partner, Catholic Charities of Long Island, recently hosted a "Health Families" celebration to mark the significant success they've had enrolling uninsured children and families into New York State's nationally recognized Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus health insurance programs. During the celebration, the Hospital Council honored Senator Kemp Hannon for the support he has given New York's uninsured children and families.

Hannon, chairman of the Senate Health Committee, sponsored legislation creating the health insurance programs; and he also is credited with securing a legislative grant in 1998 which enabled the Hospital Council to begin a public outreach campaign to those people who needed insurance. Today, the Hospital Council has processed more than 10,000 applications for Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus.

"We've made major investments in our health insurance programs because we're committed to ensuring that children and families throughout New York have access to high-quality, affordable health care," Hannon said.

Governor George Pataki attended the celebration and announced that the Hospital Council will now receive $700,000 in facilitated grants to build on its successful outreach efforts assisting Long Island residents in need of health care. On Long Island, the Health and Welfare Council will also receive $700,000.

Overall, $20 million will be granted to 47 community-based organizations, located statewide, to conduct outreach to identify those who qualify for state health insurance programs and provide assistance throughout the application process.

"These new awards will help ensure that thousands of additional children and working adults will soon have access to vital health care through our state's nationally-recognized Child Health Plus program, Medicaid and Family Health Plus," Pataki said.

New York State has previously awarded $40 million in grants for facilitated enrollment. The state's intensive community outreach efforts, coupled with an extensive mass media campaign, have increased enrollment in Child Health Plus from approximately 90,000 in 1994 to more than 500,000 at present. Family Health Plus enrollment is also growing substantially. Its current level of 65,000 represents an increase of more than 58,000 since January 2002.