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Md. Awarded $28.3M For Children's Health Coverage

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland is getting $28.3 million to help provide more children with health coverage, the U.S. Health Department announced Wednesday.

Maryland is one of 23 states to share more than $296 million in performance bonus payments for surpassing a Medicaid enrollment target and adopting procedures to improve access to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

It's the second year Maryland has received the bonus funding.

The U.S. Health Department said Maryland has streamlined the children's health coverage enrollment process by not requiring applicants to appear for a face-to-face interview, which can be difficult for working parents. Maryland also uses electronic databases to verify family information. That reduces the need for families to submit paperwork when it is time to renew their children's health coverage.

The performance bonuses help offset the costs states incur when they enroll lower income children in Medicaid.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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