Charleston, W.V. (AP) -- A new study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation makes a strong case for enrolling more kids in state-run children's health insurance programs.

Researchers say CHIP-covered kids are three times more likely than uninsured children to visit a doctor. They're also far more likely to get regular checkups.

In West Virginia, 35,000 children with chronic conditions are covered by either CHIP or Medicaid. And 98 percent of those children have a personal physician -- far more than the uninsured.

The study released Thursday also says special-needs children with chip are twice as likely to get mental health care.

CHIP benefits families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to buy private insurance.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)