BOYD COUNTY, Ky (WSAZ) – Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has outlined a plan to get as many children as possible enrolled in the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) by 2010.

The plan was unveiled Wednesday morning at Ponderosa Elementary in Boyd County.

The Governor says in a press release that in the Ashland area alone (Boyd, Carter, Greenup, Lewis, and Rowan counties), there may be more than 2,300 eligible but uninsured children.

The plan, with an implementation date of November 1, intends to dramatically cut the number of children without health coverage by removing barriers to enrollment, retaining more children once they are enrolled and significantly increasing education and outreach regarding the program.

KCHIP provides health insurance to children whose family income is below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, about $42,400 a year for a family of four.

“It is shameful and shortsighted that we are not providing children with the health care they need and deserve,” Gov. Beshear said.