State to lose health care dollars

The state of Iowa stands to lose six-point-one million dollars in unspent child health care insurance. The money is part of the Children’s Health Insurance Program and must be spent by the end of the month. If not, the federal government will take what’s left and give it to ten states that have spent all their money. Iowa insurance manager Anita Smith says there are several reasons why the state has not spent its share of the money, including a slower than anticipated enrollment.Smith says there are currently efforts underway to keep the state from losing the money. She says they’re asking for an additional year to spend the money.In Iowa, the money helps pay for the “Hawk-I” program, which provides health insurance to poor children. Smith says enrollment in the program is gradually increasing but feels a number of people still don’t know about it.