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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
For Media Assistance
Los Angeles--Today the Governor announced
proposals to increase the number of children with health insurance
in California. PICO-California and the 100% Campaign, a collaborative
effort of Children Now, Children's Defense Fund and The Children's
Partnership, are pleased to see that the Governor is proposing
positive steps to ensure more children get health insurance
coverage. But California can't afford to stop short of providing
all California's children with access to affordable, comprehensive
health insurance. This is the year to make that promise real.
The Governor's 2006-2007 budget proposals
include several elements to reduce the number of children
who are eligible for health insurance but remain uninsured.
For example, the Governor proposes grants to counties with
high rates of children who are eligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy
Families but are unenrolled, changes in the way families can
renew health insurance for their children, broader access
to electronic applications, and communications to educate
parents about why their children need insurance.
"We are glad that the Governor
recognizes the importance of outreach and education in getting
more children health insurance, but we urge the Governor and
Legislature to finish the job for all California's children,"
stated Deena Lahn, Policy Director, Children's Defense Fund.
"We have 90% of our children insured, and the remaining
10% should not have to wait any longer for quality preventive
care."
"It is time for California to
follow the lead of counties throughout the state that have
successfully demonstrated that providing health insurance
to all children is achievable and cost-effective. Local experience
shows that families understand the importance of health insurance
and will enroll their children if all of their children are
eligible and they can access the system simply," states
Wendy Lazarus, Founder and Co-President, The Children's Partnership.
We know the Governor agrees with the goal
of covering all children: "First of all, I think it is
important that we take care of our children. And we have to
make sure that every child in California is insured; that
is the most important thing." (Partial transcript from
9/24/03 gubernatorial debate, as reported in the Los Angeles
Times on 9/25/03.)
Last year, the Governor vetoed AB772 (Chan)
and AB 1199 (Frommer), bills that would have provided coverage
for all children in California, including needed reforms to
reach children who are currently eligible but not enrolled.
(Senator Escutia's companion bill, SB 437, was held in the
legislature and awaits action this year.) The Governor stated
his concern about the lack of new funding for expanded health
insurance, even with the substantial federal match for most
children. The Coalition for a Healthy California has filed
a ballot measure, which aims to qualify for the November 2006
ballot, that would overcome this concern by raising the tobacco
tax to fund health related programs, including access to health
insurance for all California's children.
"We look forward to having the
Legislature's and the Governor's support for expanding eligibility
to make sure all kids are covered, in addition to the important
changes proposed by the Governor," said Ted Lempert,
President, Children Now.
The 100% Campaign, a collaborative
effort of Children Now, Children's Defense Fund
and The Children's Partnership, with primary funding
from The California Endowment, was created to ensure
that all of California's children obtain the health
coverage they need to grow up strong and healthy.
The PICO California Project
is the united effort of 20 California congregation-community
organizations affiliated with the PICO National
Network. Collectively, we represent 350 congregations
and 400,000 families statewide and are actively
organizing in over 70 cities in Northern and
Southern California.
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