ENROLLMENT DRIVE FOR MC+ SET AT THREE SITES FRIDAY

Cape Girardeau's hospitals and local Division of Family Services will help launch Missouri's MC+ for Kids program with a sign-up day Friday at each hospital.

Each hospital and the Division of Family Services will have representatives available during the day to assist parents and guardians with applications for the program. An evening sign-up will be held at West Park Mall.

The MC+ program expands health insurance coverage to uninsured children. In Missouri, almost 200,000 children, or 8.8 percent, have no insurance. The MC+ for Kids program is designed to provide an alternative to those who don't qualify for Medicaid.

The program began in July and has enrolled 24,000 of the 90,000 eligible children from families with income of up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Many working families with no insurance for their children may find their children eligible. For example, in a family of three making less than $40,950, the child may be eligible.

At St. Francis, the representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Healing Arts Center.

At Southeast, MC+ representatives will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the case management department near the lobby.

From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., representatives will be available at the Kids Bee Fit room at West Park Mall.

Parents who wish to apply for the program will need verification of income and Social Security numbers at the time of enrollment.