At the Health Department, we often get phone calls from people with limited incomes who are concerned with their children’s health. Fortunately, in Michigan there are two programs that help low income residents provide health coverage for their children. These programs are the “Healthy Kids” program that provides free Health Care coverage for Pregnant Women, Babies and Children. This program covers women during pregnancy and the first two months after pregnancy ends. Babies may be eligible for up to one year after birth and children up to age 19. EVERY pregnant woman and their babies need to get this care early and return for regular checkups to stay healthy. We know that this program saves dollars in the long run by preventing many expensive medical conditions later on.
Another health insurance program for children is call the MICHILD program. It is for uninsured children of Michigan’s working low income families who do not have health insurance. This plan covers regular checkups, immunizations, emergency care, dental care and prescriptions along with several other services. If your child qualifies, you will only pay $10 a month no matter how many children you may have. To learn if you qualify for one of these two programs, you can call a toll free number, 1-888-988-6300! It is quick and easy. There is also an Internet application available. The application can be found on the Health Department website.
The Health Department also provides immunizations to children as well as vaccines to local doctors so they can immunize children. The US Surgeon General has stated that immunizations save more lives and prevent more illnesses than any other medical treatment. Measles, mumps and pertussis are deadly diseases that most US children no longer have to face. These diseases have rapidly returned to countries whose immunizations levels have been reduced with devastating consequences for their children. England, Wales, and Australia have all had severe epidemics with thousands of infants needing hospital care due to reductions in immunization levels. Fortunately, these diseases are at an all time low in our country and will remain so as long as children continue to be vaccinated. The Personal Health Division has several other prevention programs that work to reduce both short and long term health problems for our children. Please view the Health Department's Immunization section of the website for more information .
MALPH (Michigan Association of Local Pubilc Health) has prepared several fact sheets with information about what you can do to ensure a Healthy Begininng for your Children: