A collaborative effort of The Children's Partnership, Children Now, and Children's Defense Fund created to ensure that all of California's children obtain the health coverage they need to grow up strong and healthy

Children's Health Coverage is Critical for California's Future

Medi-Cal and Healthy Families continue to provide affordable health coverage to nearly 4.5 million California children in low-income, working families. Funding for these critical programs, however, is at risk. On January 8, 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger unveiled a budget proposal for fiscal year 2010-2011 that makes drastic cuts to California’s Healthy Families and Medi-Cal programs. In tough fiscal times, parents prioritize the needs of their children, and our leaders must do the same in order to ensure the future prosperity of our state. Read our updated budget factsheets here.

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.

SHARE YOUR STORY:

If your child is enrolled in Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, or is on the Healthy Families waiting list, 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.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Sign up for 100% Campaign email alerts so you can get involved in ensuring that affordable health coverage for all California children is a top policy priority.