LEWISTON, Idaho — The Regence Foundation announced today a $10,000 grant to Mountain States Group to fund its Cover Idaho Kids Project. The program will help school nurses in 15 rural Idaho school districts enroll uninsured children in the Idaho Health Plan Coverage for Children and Teens program (formerly called the CHIP/Medicaid Program).

“It is estimated that 27,000 Idaho children are income-eligible for the state health insurance plan, but have not been enrolled,” said Michael Alexander, Regence Foundation board chair. “That is simply too many children without health care. At The Regence Foundation, we believe the Cover Idaho Kids Project can significantly increase the number of children with health insurance, especially in rural communities, through partnerships with school nurses.”

The Regence Foundation grant will enable Mountain States Group to provide technical assistance and ongoing support to school nurses in 15 rural Idaho school districts, including Plummer-Worley, Caldwell, Wilder, Notus, Parma, Cassia County, Glenn's Ferry, Valley, Kamiah, Minidoka County, Bruneau-Grand View, American Falls, Murtaugh, Hansen and Weiser.

The Cover Idaho Kids Project is operated by Mountain States Group. The Boise-based group is committed to increasing the number of Idaho children covered by health insurance, and works with hospitals and clinics, schools and youth groups, community-based organizations and the media to encourage participation in Idaho's health coverage programs for children.