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The Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles, a Model for Achievements in Covering the Uninsured

Posted on: Monday, 2 May 2005, 09:00 CDT

LOS ANGELES, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Between May 1 and May 8, the nation will recognize "Cover the Uninsured Week" to raise awareness of the millions of Americans who lack health insurance. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles County coalition is showing impressive results enrolling children in health insurance plans. The Healthy Kids program, part of the Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles, has enrolled close to 40,000 children since its launch in July 2003, exceeding original projections. Children are also being enrolled into Medi-Cal and Healthy Families at an almost three to one margin, contributing to the Initiative's success and demonstrating the need for such programs.

"When we started, there was a question about whether people who were not used to the concept of insurance would readily sign up; they have," said Howard Kahn, CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan and one of the Coalition's co-conveners. "The success of Healthy Kids shows how much parents really want and need health coverage for their children. For many of these families, it's the first time they have had health care coverage."

As a result of the success of the Children's Health Initiative, funds raised to date are being used at a faster rate. While continuing its fundraising activities, the Initiative intends to hold enrollment for Healthy Kids -- ages 6-18 -- to 35,000 members, which is expected by May 2005. This part of the program currently relies on local fundraising efforts, while Healthy Kids for children ages 0-5 is funded through First 5 LA, and Medi-Cal and Healthy Families receive state funding.

L.A. Care Health Plan's Board of Governors has recently approved an additional $5 million in funding on top of its original pledge of $25 million made in June 2004. To date, the Children's Health Initiative has raised $92 million through a variety of funding sources including First 5 LA, L.A. Care Health Plan, The California Endowment, Blue Shield of California Foundation, Queenscare Foundation, California Community Foundation, Weingart Foundation, California Healthcare Foundation, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, W.M. Keck Foundation, Unihealth Foundation, Kaiser Permanente Health Plan, the Joseph R. Drown Foundation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Safeguard Dental and Vision, and the Pipkin Charitable Foundation.

"The Initiative is actively pursuing additional funders to continue the commitment to provide health coverage to children in Los Angeles County," said Robert K. Ross, M.D., one of the Coalition's co-conveners and president and CEO of The California Endowment.

To pursue long-term financial sustainability, the Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles has joined with other Children's Health Initiatives across the state, the 100% Campaign, PICO California Project, California Teacher's Association, California State PTA, and the California Small Business Association, among others, to propose state legislation that would ensure permanent funding.

"There are an estimated 235,000 children without health insurance in Los Angeles County," said Dr. Thomas Garthwaite, a co-convener and Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. "Almost 74 percent of uninsured children are eligible for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. We need to continue our efforts to get as many children covered as possible."

Over 50 organizations participate in the Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles, and all are continuing outreach and enrollment for all three programs. Most coalition partners will actively participate in enrollment fairs and public events during "Cover the Uninsured Week."

About the Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles

The Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles was formed over a year ago with the overarching goal to create public policies to keep kids healthy and ensure that no child has to go without health insurance. The CHI was created by the Children's Health Initiative Coalition -- a public-private group of healthcare providers, private employers, business leaders, advocacy groups, foundations, public health officials and labor unions. Key financial supporters of the Initiative include First 5 LA, L.A. Care Health Plan, The California Endowment, Blue Shield of California Foundation, and the California Community Foundation. For more information about the Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles, please visit http://www.chigla.org/ or call 1-888-4LA-KIDS (1-888-452-5437). A full list of Coalition participants is available upon request.

Media Contacts:

Jackie Quintanilla

323.202.1053

jacqueline.quintanilla@edelman.com

Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles

CONTACT: Jackie Quintanilla, +1-323-202-1053,jacqueline.quintanilla@edelman.com, for Children's Health Initiative ofGreater Los Angeles

Web site: http://www.chigla.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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