WASHINGTON – Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is urging tribes and Indian health providers to apply for new grants to enroll Native children in insurance programs meant to aid low-income families.

The nation’s top health official announced during a media conference call Nov. 19 the availability of up to $10 million in grants aimed at Indian youth who qualify for, but are not yet enrolled, in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 set aside $100 million for fiscal years 2009 – 2013 to find and enroll eligible uninsured children, including $10 million specifically for Indian health providers.

As called for in the law, grants will be awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to applicants whose outreach, enrollment and retention efforts will target geographic areas with high rates of eligible but uninsured American Indian and Alaska Native children.

After the announcement, the National Indian Health Board noted that Native children tend to live in isolated areas and are uninsured at higher-than-average rates.

“This funding will save lives. Meeting the health care needs of our children today is a key in addressing some of the health disparities that our communities face now,” assessed Reno Keoni Franklin, chairman of the NIHB.

More information about the outreach and enrollment grants is available online.