Governor’s Actions Belie Commitment to Children’s Coverage

Final Budget Cuts $66.7 Million in Medi-Cal & Healthy Families Outreach Programs
August 27, 2007

LOS ANGELES, CA — Community Health Councils was disheartened to learn Friday that the Governor had vetoed $34.6 million in county outreach grants from the final state budget for 2007-08. The money was being used to outreach to the 447,000 California children estimated to be eligible for but not enrolled in Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. Last year’s budget included $20 million in community-based outreach activities.

“The funding is critical for local communities to reach eligible but unenrolled children and families,” said Caroline Rivas, Policy Director for Community Health Councils. The funds would have allowed counties to provide outreach, enrollment, retention, and utilization services such as screening families for all programs; completing paperwork; verifying enrollment and renewal processes; and helping families navigate the healthcare system.

The elimination of the funding leaves counties to once again find a way of helping families enroll in the Healthy Families and Medi-Cal programs. There are no local administrative agencies performing this role for the Healthy Families program in particular. In addition, counties have been carrying the cost and pressure of reaching and covering uninsured children.

The Governor also cut $32.1 million in funding to implement SB 437 in the 2007-08 budget year. The legislature and the Governor approved SB 437 in 2006. The bill streamlined enrollment and eligibility for children’s coverage through Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. The Governor stated that he would delay implementation for one year.

“Both cuts appear to be a step back in healthcare reform for at least publicly-supported healthcare coverage at a time when the state legislative leadership tantalized us with the idea of healthcare for all,” says Lark Galloway-Gilliam, Executive Director of Community Health Councils. “The state should not renege on its commitment to California’s children.”

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