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Policy Pick: Senate Bill 1: Health Care Access for All Kids

February 9, 2009
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In the debate over health care reform, the case for insuring children is overwhelming. Children with health insurance are at less risk for preventable illness and chronic disease and uninsured children are more likely to seek treatment only when conditions become serious and more expensive.

According to a recent study released by UCLA's Center for Health Policy Research, Southern California legislative districts have some of the highest percentages of uninsured children in the state. If passed, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) will help solve this problem by ensuring that every child in California has access to an affordable, comprehensive health insurance package that may include medical, dental, vision, and mental health services. 

Authored by Senate Majority Leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Senate Health Committee Chairperson Elaine Alquist (D- San Jose), Senate Bill 1, will make it easier for families to enroll and to maintain their Medi-CAL and Healthy Families health insurance coverage. Also, it proposes to do the following:

  • Provide access to health insurance for families making up to $55,000 dollars per year for a family of three or 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
  • Ease the fiscal burden on county health care programs by smoothly transitioning children insured by county Children's Health Initiatives into state funded insurance programs.
  • Make it easier for families to enroll and keep their children's health insurance coverage by:
  1. Reducing the amount of required paperwork to enroll in Healthy Families by permitting streamlined verification of family income, consistent with the Medi-CAL program.
  2. Reinstating community based outreach, enrollment, and retention strategies and reaching out to families who are recently unemployed.
  3. Improving state electronic enrollment systems. 

Senate Bill 1 is good for our struggling state economy. California's high unemployment rate means families are losing jobs and health benefits. Preventing children from losing health care coverage assists struggling families with the burden of high medical costs, especially in times of economic crisis. Additionally, children's health coverage draws down federal matching funds. California receives up to $2.00 for every $1.00 it contributes to children's health coverage.

If you would like more information on Senate Bill 1, please contact Katie Kurutz, public affairs officer at 213-482-7556.

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