Health Coverage for Thousands of Children Living in L.A. County is in Jeopardy

WHAT: Parents of Healthy Kids members ages 6-18 must complete and return an important response form by June 21, 2010, so their kids don’t lose comprehensive health coverage. In order to continue offering health coverage at low-cost to existing Healthy Kids members ages 6 – 18, parents will contribute with a modest monthly premium of $15 per child, effective July 1, 2010.

A letter and a premium increase response form were sent to all Healthy Kids 6 - 18 members. Parents must fill out and sign the premium increase response form and return it to L.A. Care Health Plan in order to keep their children enrolled.  

WHO: Parents of more than 21,000 Healthy Kids members ages 6 – 18, more than 17,000 of which are Hispanic

WHEN: Response forms must be completed and postmarked by Monday June 21, 2010

WHERE: Premium increase response forms should be sent to:  L.A. Care Health Plan-Healthy Kids Program P.O. Box 515388 Los Angeles, CA 90051-9788

WHY:   The CHI Coalition believes that all children should have health coverage, and for seven years has been raising money through grants and public/private partnerships to keep the privately funded Healthy Kids program going. With the shaky economy, the fundraising has become challenging. A group of health plan members approached L.A. Care Health Plan last fall to suggest that a premium increase be considered in order to extend the program.

Focus groups and a survey of Healthy Kids parents were then conducted; findings showed that 84% of the parents were willing to financially contribute more to help the program continue. As a result, families will contribute with a $15 premium per child, per month, regardless of income, with a cap of $45 per month for three or more children.

PHOTO & VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES:
Healthy Kids spokesperson and family available for interviews