United Way of California

Healthy Families Child Care Program in Jeopardy

KXTV-10
November 19, 2008

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

The Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board is considering cutting off new enrollees into the state's Healthy Families insurance program, a decision that could put more than 160,000 low-income children on a waiting list for care.

"It just doesn't make sense," said UC Davis pediatrician Dr. Richard Pan. "The illnesses will still come." Nearly 900,000 children are currently enrolled in Healthy Families. Children in families that earn less than 250 percent of the poverty level are eligible to apply.

The program adds about 27,000 kids every month, but the MRMIB is considering halting enrollment in December. The program is more than $17 million in the hole and the state budget deficit is expected to make the situation even worse.

State lawmakers could still save the program, but so far, there's been no action at the Capitol to boost funding.

The MRMIB will vote on the issue December 18.
News10/KXTV

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