CommunityCARE/KIDMED Week

Each year the governor recognizes the accomplishments of the CommunityCARE and KIDMED programs by proclaiming CommunityCARE/KIDMED Week. The CommunityCARE program links Medicaid recipients with a physician, clinic, federally qualified health center or rural health clinic--ensuring access to a doctor. CommunityCARE seeks to provide a "medical home" for Medicaid recipients, strengthen doctor/patient relationships, promote the educational aspects of preventive health care, promote the responsibility of the recipient to use health care resources appropriately, and support the use of quality health care within the recipient's community when appropriate.

The KIDMED program was established by Congress in an effort to offer quality preventive health care for children up to 21 years of age. These children are our most valuable asset and it is imperative that they grow up to be healthy adults. The people of Louisiana recognize the relationship between healthy children and the future of the state of Louisiana. KIDMED provides complete physical exams, dental exams, vision and hearing checkups, immunizations, blood and urine tests, sickle cell anemia tests, health education, eyeglasses, hearing aids and more at no cost to the recipient. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for every $1 spent on preventive health care, future savings from $3 to $25 result. CDC says that the cost savings vary according to the disease, injury or disability prevented.

Governor proclaims CommunityCARE/KIDMED Week
For more, see some of our success stories.