*California is leading the way in a national trend that has brought the child uninsured rate to a historic low, according to a new report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.
The number of uninsured children in the state declined by 55 percent between 2013 and 2015 – the highest percentage point decline in the nation. That translates to an additional 371,000 children in the state now having insurance. California’s Children’s Health Coverage Coalition agrees that this decline in uninsured children in the state is impressive.
“Our focus on the health of our children is a critical investment in the future of our state. When children get the coverage they need, they are more likely to grow up healthy, reach their full potential and become tomorrow’s leaders,” said Mayra Alvarez, President of The Children’s Partnership.
“California embraced the Affordable Care Act, including Medicaid expansion, creation of a marketplace, and targeted outreach to communities, and dramatically improved health coverage for children and families.”
California’s percentage of uninsured children declined by 4 points. The state’s coverage rate for children is now 97 percent, higher than the national average of 95 percent. the child uninsured rate ranks lowest in the nation.
Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid insurance program, is a crucial part of addressing the child uninsured rate getting kids covered: the program currently covers 58 percent of children in California.
“California and forty other states are on the right track addressing the problems that result from children going without health coverage,” said Joan Alker, Executive Director of Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families.
Despite the progress made, California still has the second largest number of uninsured children in the country. This number can be reduced significantly through continuing to enroll eligible kids in Medi-Cal. Critical to this effort is the successful implementation of Health for All Kids, which provides Medi-Cal coverage for all income-eligible children regardless of immigration status, as an additional opportunity to increase coverage rates.
Families who would like help enrolling their children should call 855-899-7587, or visit https://health4allkids.org/. Families who want help in their local county can visit https://cchi4families.org/
View the complete report, Children’s Health Coverage Rate Now at Historic High of 95 Percent, here.
source:
Jessica Fernandez
[email protected]
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