If your children do not have health insurance, they may be eligible for Child Health Plus. Child Health Plus is a free or low-cost health insurance program that provides coverage for children under 19 years of age who are not eligible for Medicaid. It is EASY to sign up for Child Health Plus. Don't worry if you think your income is too high or if your children are not legal residents- you may still be able to apply.

The Mayor's HealthStat initiative was designed to increase access to public health insurance programs for New York City's families. Under the direction of the Mayor's Office of Health Insurance Access (MOHIA), city agencies create opportunities for enrollees to sign-up eligible families in Child Health Plus.

Through this initiative, the City of New York/Parks and Recreation is able to offer opportunities for people throughout New York City to obtain health insurance for their children. Parks invites health insurance enrollees to attend special events at pools, parks, beaches, and recreation centers throughout the five boroughs. Staff at all recreation centers are trained to provide more information about Child Health Plus. In addition, health insurance enrollees have a regular presence at our larger recreation centers.

In early 2002, Family Health Plus (FHP) will be available to New York's eligible uninsured adults. This new program is modeled on Child Health Plus and makes comprehensive health insurance available at no cost to lower-income, uninsured adults who do not have employer-sponsored coverage and are not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. Please check back with this site shortly to get more information on Family Health Plus.

For further information regarding Child Health Plus and the HealthStat initiative, please visit MOHIA's website http://www.nyc.gov/healthstat.