Vineyard Health Care Access Program was recognized this month at the State House for its leading part in enrolling 1,479 previously uninsured kids in health care coverage as part of a statewide challenge.

While Massachusetts boasts the highest coverage rate in the nation, there were still thousands of uninsured children living in Massachusetts before the statewide challenge. The Health Care Access Program, along with 65 other organizations in the state, redoubled their enrollment efforts to cut down on the number of uninsured children.

“Because we represent a small community, I was surprised to learn that we came in second place in the whole state,” said Sarah Kuh, director of the Vineyard program. “But they based the ranking on our population, not absolute numbers.

“Our staff works so hard to keep Islanders enrolled in these programs, and connected with different types of benefits and health care. This recognition of the importance of what we do every day is very gratifying. “

To contact the Health Care Access program, call 508-696-0020.