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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 31, 2006
For Media Assistance
Sacramento--SB 437 (Escutia), sponsored by the 100%
Campaign and the PICO California Project, an important
health care bill for California's children, passed the
Legislature tonight and has been sent to the Governor
for signature. After eleventh-hour negotiations with
legislative leadership and the Administration, the final
legislative package includes significant reforms to the
state's Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs. Specifically,
SB 437 allows for approximately 94,000 children to enroll
in or keep their health coverage, according to an informal
analysis by the Administration.
"Thanks to leadership by Senator Escutia, other
legislators, and the Governor, tens of thousands of children
who are, today, eligible for but not enrolled in health
insurance will be able to get and keep the health care
they need," said Wendy Lazarus, The Children's Partnership
and the 100% Campaign. "These reforms are important
steps forward, but our collective work is not done until
California passes Proposition 86 (tobacco tax) on November
7th, which provides funding and the policy framework
to ensure that all of California's uninsured children
have access to health insurance this year and in the
future."
SB 437 makes improvements to Medi-Cal and Healthy Families,
enabling more uninsured children to enroll in the health
coverage program for which they are eligible by simplifying
the application and enrollment process. SB 437 also helps
children already enrolled in Medi-Cal and Healthy Families
keep that coverage by simplifying the renewal process.
"We are pleased the Governor and Legislature have
responded to the overwhelming majority of Californians
who want to see that all kids in our state can get health
insurance," said Deena Lahn, the Children's Defense
Fund-California and the 100% Campaign. "The bipartisan
backing in the Legislature shows the deep support which,
we believe, will lead to Proposition 86's passage on
November 7th and the achievement of our ultimate goal
of covering all 800,000 uninsured children."
Comprehensive health insurance for children is cost-effective,
ensuring access to early, less costly preventive care
and treatment. Children with health insurance also perform
better in school.
The public support for covering all children is widespread.
Approximately 83 percent of voters support a plan to "ensure
that every child in California has health insurance," according
to a recent statewide poll.
The Governor now has 30 days to take action on this
legislation.
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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