6,000 Solano kids face threat of loss of health coverage

March 3, 2010 - Times-Herald

"The governor's proposed budget would 'significantly reduce and potentially eliminate the Healthy Families Program, which provides low-cost health, dental and vision coverage for low-income children and families,'  California Budget Project officials reported."

 

Leaders look for ways to keep Healthy Kids afloat and kids insured

January 24, 2010 – Santa Cruz Sentinel
"Seven years ago, a group of Santa Cruz County leaders came together around a shared vision: They wanted to provide health insurance to every child in the county, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.

The program that grew out of that vision, called Healthy Kids, has proved an inspiring success in a generally hope-filled decade for children's health, its founders say. Because of Healthy Kids, some 13,000 local children who might otherwise have been uninsured instead gained access to comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage."

 

Medical Foundation chief sees rocky road for kids health care

January 24, 2010 – Santa Cruz Sentinel
"DeGhetaldi, president of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Santa Cruz at Sutter Hospital, was impressed by the passion of the participants, by their commitment to helping the county's undocumented, uninsured kids. But, he wondered, how would the community respond? Would they reject such a bootstrap effort to cover undocumented children?"

 

Deal saves health insurance for 600,000 needy California children

 

Budget deal: 10,000 Sonoma County kids could be denied health coverage
July 27, 2009 – The Press Democrat  
"Healthy Kids manager Cliff Coates said children would be removed from the program as they came up for re-enlistment, which happens annually on the date they first enrolled.  Enrollment in Healthy Families would be pared back gradually, with children who have been eligible the longest slated to be the first cut from the program, he said. 

 

Budget cuts put kids on insurance waiting list
July 18, 2009 – News 10 ABC  
"'Healthy Families is facing a $90 million deficit,' said Jennifer Kwan of the Children's Health Initiative. 

Kwan explained that state lawmakers approved Gov. Schwarzengger's plan to reduce the program's funding. 'That means a thousand kids a day will not have access to Healthy Families,' said Kwan. 'Twenty-nine thousand kids a month will not have access to Healthy Families.'"

 

Healthy Families puts new applicants on waiting list
July 18, 2009 – Sacramento Bee  
"'This is a huge loss for families,' said Jennifer Kwan, a program manager at Cover the Kids, a Sacramento agency that contracts with the state program.  'They're not going to be able to get the services they need.'"

 

Children's health program freezes enrollment
July 18, 2009 – Contra Costa Times  
"Enrollment in a program providing low-cost health insurance to thousands of Humboldt County children has been frozen as a result of the state's continuing budget crisis."

 

Elimination of health coverage to children penny-wise and pound-foolish
July 17, 2009 – California Progress Report  
"Proposals to eliminate health coverage for as many as 1 million California children epitomize the insight behind the adage "penny-wise and pound-foolish."

 

Enrollment freeze for state's low-income child care program, Healthy Families
July 16, 2009 – Press-Enterprise 
"Beginning today, California's health care program for low-income children will freeze enrollment for the first time in its 10-year history because of the state's ongoing budget crisis."

 

Children at stake
June 19, 2009 – San Luis Obispo Tribune 
"The governor wants to deny health insurance for more than 7,000 San Luis Obispo County children by eliminating the Healthy Families program for working families and increasing unnecessary paperwork for children on Medi-Cal." 

 

Harming our children
June 14, 2009 – Fresno Bee 
"Should California's budget be balanced on the back of children?  That is a real risk with proposals being considered in Sacramento." 

 

Thousands of county children could lose medical benefits
June 13, 2009 – Register Pajaronian 
"'We feel that taking basic services from families who need them most makes no sense,' said Leslie Conner, program and policy director of the Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County, which works to connect low-income children with medical coverage."

 

Letters to the Editor: Unfair Cuts
June 13, 2009 – Vallejo Times-Herald 
"While I understand the severity of our state's budget deficit, and the need to cut spending, I am saddened that the governor has proposed balancing the budget to the detriment of children's health."   

 

Cástulo de la Rocha:  Cutting kids health program is ill-advised
June 13, 2009 – Sacramento Bee  
"Sadly the day many Californians have dreaded may soon be at hand.  Faced with a multibillon-dollar deficit, Governor Schwarzenegger has recommended eliminating dozens of state programs, including Healthy Families, arguably one of the most successful health care programs California administers.  Healthy Families covers 900,000 children statewide."  

 

Opinion:  Viewpoint:  Budget crisis puts kids at risk
June 12, 2009 – San Luis Obispo Tribune  
"In San Luis Obispo County, 5,347 children are currently enrolled in Healthy Families, a 12 percent increase over last year's enrollment...  If Healthy Families were eliminated, these newly uninsured children would be forced to seek care at already overcrowded emergency rooms at a significantly higher cost." 

 

Opinion:  A doctor's view: Cutting health care for California children is unacceptable
June 11, 2009 – San Jose Mercury News  
"As a pediatrician caring for children at a county clinic in San Jose, I am appalled by the proposed elimination of the Healthy Families program by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger."  

 

State's in-home day caregivers fear budget ax
June 8, 2009 – San Francisco Chronicle  
"Projected cuts include eliminating the state's Healthy Families program, which provides coverage for 1 million children from families just above Medi-Cal eligibility..."  

 

Critics: Children will bear brunt of state budget cuts
June 4, 2009 – San Diego Tribune 
"A group of local doctors, religious leaders, children's health advocates and parents on Thursday held a news conference objecting to the elimination of the state Healthy Families program and deep cuts to Medi-Cal."   

 

As We See It:  State budget: Don't put kids at risk
June 4, 2009 – Santa Cruz Sentinel 
"In Santa Cruz County, the local programs --- including Healthy Kids, which provides coverage for children using mandated state funds and also enrolls children into Healthy Families and Medi-Cal --- have been highly successful."  

 

Health insurance on the block
May 31, 2009 – The Press Democrat
"That is a devastating scenario, not only for the children who no longer would be insured, but for the hospitals, health clinics and doctors who are part of a countywide collaborative effort called Healthy Kids Sonoma County."  

 

Governor's plan ends welfare as we know it
May 28, 2009 – Santa Cruz Sentinel
"'And you're talking about doing this at a time when people need this help now more than ever,' said Leslie Conner, program director for Healthy Kids of Santa Cruz County."

 

Editorial: California should maximize federal dollars, not throw them away
May 23, 2009 – San Jose Mercury News
"The day California health care experts have long dreaded is at hand. To close the state's $21.3 billion deficit gap, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature must slash health care programs to a degree that will cause irreparable harm to many of California's most vulnerable residents." 

 

Proposition 1D: One Big Disaster
May 13, 2009 – Napa Valley Register
"California's budget crisis is a serious problem, but it won't be solved by cutting funding for programs that successfully serve our most vulnerable children and families."

 

It's no good for children
May 8, 2009 – San Bernardino Sun
"First 5 San Bernardino commissioners make funding decisions based upon existing economic conditions, our local needs and anticipated Proposition 10 yearly revenue streams."

 

Prop 1D isn't worth it
May 8, 2009 – Los Angeles Times
"In Los Angeles, First 5 initiatives provide health insurance and pediatric care, along with new preschool slots, for more than 562,000 families."

 

Prop 1D called 'Hobson's Choice' for voters
May 4, 2009 – California Healthline
"Other children's advocates, including Children Now and the Children's Partnership, oppose Proposition 1D, saying it could lead to the unraveling of 30 county-based Children's Health Initiatives and ultimately jeopardize California's participation in the State Children's Health Insurance Program."

 

Prop 1D would pummel children
April 22, 2009 – Press-Enterprise
"It's tough luck for anyone who happens to be a child these days.  The Legislature is counting on voters to help balance the state budget by suspending funding for health and education programs for our youngest children."

 

SLO County supervisors oppose two measures on May ballot
April 15, 2009 – San Luis Obispo Tribune
"Kena Burke of the county's Children's Health Initiative told supervisors that investing $1 in First Five programs saves $7 in prison costs later in the kids' lives."

 

MH children await health care funding
April 14, 2009 – Morgan Hill Times
"Twelve Morgan Hill children could remain without health insurance unless the Community Health Foundation approves a funding request for $11,000.  Upon the Morgan Hill City Council's direction, the Community Health Foundation will consider providing $11,000 to the county's Healthy Kids program to provide one year's health insurance to 12 Morgan Hill children currently without it." 

 

Opinion: Proposition 1D will rob children's needs
March 31, 2009 – San Jose Mercury News
"'I Proposition 1D, one of the budget measures on the May 19 ballot, asks us to approve the unconscionable grab of the tobacco tax funds that have been meeting the needs of children from birth to age 5. Californians voted for this program in 1998, passing Proposition 10, the measure that established FIRST 5 and its county-based approach." 

 

Social service cuts remain sticking point with May ballot measures
March 12, 2009 – Santa Cruz Sentinel
"'I don't want to see the budget deal fall through... nor do I want to see other programs cut, but we are going to sacrifice kids' health,' said Leslie Conner, director of the county's Healthy Kids insurance program, which stands to lose funding."

 

County sees little good coming from state budget, health programs threatened
March 4, 2009 – Santa Cruz Sentinel
"The county's top administrators said Tuesday that the newly drafted state budget only 'exacerbates' money problems locally, and county health and human services, including the popular Healthy Kids program, will likely continue to bear the brunt."

 

Program helps kids get health care
February 25, 2009 – KGET NBC 17
"For thousands of families slammed by tough economic times, providing health care for children is nearly impossible. One local program is helping children get the care they need. The group is called the Children's Health Initiative of Kern County. Its administrators said more than 33,000 in Kern County alone don't have health coverage."

 

Jim Bennett and Christina Cuevas: Healthcare choices parents shouldn't have to make
February 22, 2009 – Santa Cruz Sentinel
"Providing all California kids with access to affordable, quality health care is an attainable goal. Local Healthy Kids programs throughout California, including here in Santa Cruz, have shown the way."

 

A victory for kids - Obama extends health coverage for local kids
February 13, 2009 – Napa Valley Register
"'Today is a victory for children, not only in Napa County, but throughout the nation. The expansion (of the State Children's Health Insurance Program) is a great booster shot towards broader health care reform,' Diel said."

 

Opinion: A strategy to better protect Silicon Valley's children
January 31, 2009 – San Jose Mercury News
"We know this approach can work. The Children's Health Initiative brought people and organizations together to achieve an audacious goal: every child insured."

 

Supporters of children's programs urge supervisors to dissuade state from diverting funds
January 27, 2009 – The San Luis Obispo Tribune
"Supporters of programs for children throughout San Luis Obispo County came out in force Tuesday, asking the Board of Supervisors to help dissuade the governor from solving the state's budget crisis by diverting state money that is supposed to go to youngsters through the First 5 program."

 

Bob Cuddy: Society has a responsibility to Healthy Families, healthy kids
December 15, 2008 – The San Luis Obispo Tribune
"The line of individuals hurting because the clowns in Sacramento refuse to act like adults and adopt a budget stretches around the block.  You might not be able to see some of them, because they are too short.  Children, for example.  The kids in the Healthy Families program, to be more specific."

 

Despite deficit, Steinberg sure he can get all state's kids insured
December 7, 2008 – The Sacramento Bee
"In his inaugural session as head of the California Senate, Darrell Steinberg singled out health care for all children as one of the issues he plans to tackle in his first 120 days."

 

Healthy Families child care program in jeopardy
November 19, 2008 – News 10 Sacramento

"California's budget deficit may soon have a big impact on health care programs for low-income children."

 

Grants provide health care for kids
November 18, 2008 – The Fresno Bee
"A grant from the California Endowment will pay health insurance premiums for 450 children in Fresno County for the coming year, local children's health advocates say."

 

Children could lose access to low-cost health insurance
November 15, 2008 – The Bakersfield Californian
"A children's health insurance program in which about 900 Kern County children enroll each month may stop taking on more kids because of state budget woes."

 

Health plan for California kids may end new enrollment
November 14, 2008 – The Sacramento Bee
"As California sheds jobs at an alarming rate, increasing the ranks of the uninsured, the state-run Healthy Families program for children is preparing to close enrollment for the first time in its 10-year history."

 

Officials to launch new children's health insurance initiative
October 27, 2008 – The Bakersfield Californian
"Kern County Supervisor Michael Rubio will announce a new program today aimed at increasing the number of uninsured Kern children who are enrolled in low-cost healthcare programs."

 

County a leader in kids with health insurance
October 7, 2008 – Santa Cruz Sentinel
"Nearly 10,000 children are newly enrolled in health insurance coverage.  New programs such as Healthy Kids worked with Medi-Cal and Healthy Families to help families with limited incomes."

 

Alice Birney is site for Healthy Kids Humboldt insurance campaign
September 23, 2008 – The Eureka Reporter
"Healthy Kids Humboldt kicked off its health insurance enrollment campaign at Alice Birney Elementary School this month.  The goal is to contact 100 percent of families who indicate their children don't have health insurance.  Enrolling the children in one of the three health insurance programs is the next step."

 

Healthy Kids program boosts dental care in Santa Clara County
September 12, 2008 – California Healthline
"Santa Clara County's Healthy Kids program helped significant percentages of children receive dental care, according to a study released on Thursday..."

 

Study: Dental insurance is key to children's health
September 12, 2008 – The Mercury News
"More than 60 percent of low-income Santa Clara County children who received dental insurance from an innovative health program actually went to see a dentist, according to a study released Thursday."

 

Thousands of California Children are in Danger of Losing Health Insurance
August 24, 2008 – Los Angeles Times
"California's promising strides towards extending medical coverage to all its children, a long-time goal of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and one advocates believed was in reach by decade's end, has stalled - and thousands of kids are in danger of losing health insurance."

 
My Word:  Debra Ward
July 29, 2008 – Oakland Tribune
“With the recent announcement that the Alameda Alliance for Health will soon close its locally funded Healthy Kids program, we are now witnessing a tip-of-the-iceberg moment in children's health coverage."

 

California kids may face triple whammy, leading to more uninsured
July 24, 2008 – The Health Care Blog
“After years of seeing decreasing numbers of uninsured children, California is poised to go the other direction."

 

Dedicated to Children's Health Care
June 2008 – Davis Life Magazine
“Mark Diel describes himself as 'the only guy in Peet's wearing a suit.'  It's clear that he wears the suit to help the children of Napa County get health insurance through the Napa Children's Health Initiative."

 
Plight of uninsured affects us all
January 27, 2008 – Santa Cruz Sentinel
“In Santa Cruz County, the uninsured receive excellent care in local community clinics, but even these dedicated safety-net providers can’t solve the problem alone. One new solution is Healthy Kids, a program that expands coverage for local uninsured children."

‘Healthy Kids’ programs stop 1,000 hospitalizations annually
January 21, 2008 – Woodland Daily Democrat
“A study released this past week proves what Yolo County has known for awhile: Spending money on children’s health insurance actually saves money in the long run...”

Healthy Kids saves state and federal funds
January 19, 2008 – San Mateo Examiner
“…But after enrolling Kyana in San Mateo County Healthy Kids, a locally funded health insurance program for low-income families who don’t qualify for state or federal programs, Jackson pays only $5 per visit for Kyana’s care.”

Kids’ health plan saves big bucks
January 16, 2008 – The San Luis Obispo Tribune
"'It's exactly the thing we need,' said Kena Burke, director of the San Luis Obispo County Children's Health Initiative. ‘It demonstrates that when you put your dollars in the beginning, the kids stay healthier.'"

Kids’ insurance pays off
January 15, 2008 – The Vacaville Reporter
“Solano County is proud to report 97 percent of all its children are insured, thanks to efforts by the Solano Kids Insurance Program…”

Gift: Children’s health care
December 17, 2007 – Bakersfield Californian
“Despite our success, the Children’s Health Initiative of Kern County, as well as all the initiatives across the state, have reached a critical juncture…”

Kids’ health care access improves
November 22, 2007 – San Mateo County Times
“Officials hail the success of Healthy Kids, which provides low-cost insurance for children who don’t qualify for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families, the counties’ low-cost insurance plan for adults…”

Healthy Kids plan a success
November 20, 2007 – The Stockton Record
“An evaluation of three of the state’s county –based Healthy Kids insurance programs concludes there have been ‘dramatic and consistent gains in the well-being of children and families’ in the three different settings…”

Kids’ health funding at risk
November 18, 2007 – The Sacramento Bee
“…children’s advocates say that without interim funding for children’s coverage, at least 55,000 children now covered by Children’s Health Initiatives in 25 counties will lose their coverage over the next two years because the programs are running out of money.”