Trump Administration’s Harmful Changes to Medicaid (June 2019)

Medicaid is the Foundation of Children’s Health in California

Over 95% of all children in California now have access to coverage, with an estimated 300,000 remaining uninsured. Of this 95% covered, approximately half of California's children, 5.7 million, are covered by Medicaid/CHIP, or Medi-Cal. While enrollment in Medi-Cal appears high and has resulted in more children accessing care, the current healthcare system for children has been primarily organized and built on a diagnostic adult model of care. So our work as advocates must focus on:

1. Ensuring children enroll in health coverage and stay covered

2. Improving access to appropriate care through better-designed systems of care for children. 

 We know that pregnant women with Medicaid have better health outcomes for their children during adulthood, including reduced rates of obesity and hospitalizations and improvements in oral health. In California, Medicaid covers more than half of all pregnancies and births. When children get the health care they need, they are more likely to succeed in school, graduate from high school and attend college, earn higher wages, and grow up into healthy adults. 

Health Happens Here

In our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our grocery stores and our parks—every moment of the day the places where we spend our lives affect how long, and how well, we live. This innovative program aims to educate Californians on how to make health happen everywhere in their lives, not just at the doctor. United Ways of California is a strong supporter of this campaign and healthy behaviors for a better life.

To learn more about health policy issues:

Georgetown Center for Children and Families
Kaiser Family Foundation
The California Endowment

To learn more about options for health coverage in California or to apply for coverage:

Covered California
Department of Health Care Services or www.benefitscal.org
California Coverage & Health Initiatives