Help connect uninsured California children with the health coverage they need to grow healthy and learn well - Download the NEW! 2012 Healthy Child Checklist
Kids learn better when they’re healthy!
A study of children enrolled in California’s Healthy Families Program showed a 63% improvement in paying attention and keeping up with school activities over their previous performance when they were uninsured. Yet, by the latest counts there are still well over one million California children who are uninsured, including nearly 700,000 children who are currently eligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families but are not enrolled. We can make sure that all children start this school year off right by helping parents keep their kids healthy.
Children Now, in partnership with the California School Health Centers Association and the 100% Campaign has developed a “Back-To-School Checklist” to help parents keep their kids healthy. The checklist includes reminders to enroll children in health coverage, make sure children have all their needed physicals and shots before school begins, and schedule a regular dental check-up. Download the checklist in English, Spanish, or Chinese.
The First Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act: Expanding & Improving Health Coverage for Children and Youth
It has been one year since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the nation’s new health care law. The ACA is already improving health coverage and access for millions of California’s children and young adults, and will strengthen health care even more in the future. As a result of the ACA, California children have better access to quality, affordable coverage that can’t be taken away when they need it most. Read more about how California children and families are benefiting here.
Are your children benefiting from the new health care law?
We want to know about it!
The Affordable Care Act (new federal health care law) has made it easier for families to get, keep and afford the health care children need to grow up healthy and strong. But many people – including the media and decision-makers – don’t fully understand how the new health care law has benefited California children and families.
If a child you know has benefited from the new health care law, take a moment to share your experience with us -- Click here to take survey
Was your child previously denied health coverage due to a “pre-existing condition” (such as asthma or diabetes), but now has been able to get covered?
Has your family been helped because your child can no longer be dropped from coverage for a “pre-existing condition” or because there is no lifetime limit on benefits for your child?
Are you now able to cover your young adult children on your health plan?
Has your family benefited from free preventive services (such as immunizations) for your children?
If any of the above apply to you or someone close to you, please take share the experience with us -- Click here to take survey
Your story will help us educate California families about important changes that may make it easier, and less expensive, for them to access the care they need for their children.
Children's Health Coverage is Critical for California's Future
A MAJOR VICTORY FOR CALIFORNIA’S CHILDREN: On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (ACA). With the passage of federal health reform, California has an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take advantage of new federal tools and incentives to both ensure all California children have health coverage and to bring much needed resources into the state. Click here to learn more about the federal health care reform law.
Six months after the bill signing, on September 23, 2010, some of the key provisions of the ACA that benefit children went into effect. For example, new health plans cannot deny children coverage for pre-existing health conditions; young adults can stay on their parents coverage up to age 26; and new plans must cover preventive services at no cost. One week later, Governor Schwarzenegger signed vital legislation to implement the September 23rd provisions in California.
Additionally California became the first state in the country to establish a health insurance Exchange under the ACA. The Exchange is a lynchpin of the health care law, as it will ultimately provide and expand health coverage to millions of Californians and pave the way for hundreds of thousands of uninsured children and families to purchase affordable health coverage beginning in 2014. By creating the California Health Benefit Exchange, the Governor has enabled California to begin to realize the benefits and promise of the ACA.
When children have access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage, good things happen – children obtain preventive care to avoid serious conditions, families are at less risk for bankruptcy due to children's illnesses or accidents, children miss less school, and employees are less likely to miss work to stay home with a sick child. When children lack health coverage, there are real costs to the health care system and California's future economy. Click hereto learn more about why health coverage is important for children.
WATCH THIS VIDEO:
This video tells real stories of how Healthy Families and Medi-Cal support California's families. The children and families interviewed in this video shared their experiences in the hope that, one day, all California children will have health coverage that meets their needs at a cost their parents can afford.
If your child is enrolled in Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, or Healthy Kids, please share your story. Personal stories of how these programs impact children and families are critical to our effort to support affordable children's health programs.
Sign up for 100% Campaign email alerts and follow us on Twitter so you can get involved in ensuring that affordable health coverage for all California children is a top policy priority.
