United Way of California

Healthy Families Enrollment Freeze Lifted

More than 88,000 children on waitlist to be enrolled, beginning tomorrow

Sacramento, CA

Today, the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB), which administers the Healthy Families Program, voted to rescind the Program waitlist which has been in place since July 17 of this year. Additionally, MRMIB will no longer need to disenroll children in the Program as previously planned.  The ability to discontinue the waitlist and keep enrolled children in the Program is a result of First 5 California’s contribution and the Legislature’s passage of AB 1422, which the Governor is scheduled to sign soon.

On behalf of a coalition of children’s advocates, the following is a statement from Peter Manzo, President and CEO, United Ways of California, regarding MRMIB’s actions:

“We are extremely pleased that the Healthy Families waitlist has been removed and that children can once again get access to the health coverage they need,” said Peter Manzo.  “Healthy Families coverage is vital to hardworking families who depend on this program to help meet the health care needs of their children and ensure ongoing, preventive and acute care.

“Over the past 18 months Healthy Families has seen record monthly enrollment as children have lost employer-based health coverage, due to the economy, and families struggle to make ends meet.  We are grateful to those who have worked hard to find solutions to fund this program. This effort truly shows what can be accomplished when we all share the responsibility of caring for California’s children.”