New Report Highlights Essential Design Features for Modernized Enrollment System

A new white paper from The Children's Partnership, co-authored by Dawn Horner and Beth Morrow, lays out the four design features necessary to enroll and maintain coverage for nearly 4 million Californians newly eligible for subsidized programs under health reform, in addition to serving the over 8 million already receiving such coverage. The report, "Building A Consumer-Driven Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal System: Essential Design Features for Effective Health Reform in California," focuses on information and recommendations for California, however will be relevant to decision makers in any state.

Download the full report, executive summary, and press release.

Health Advocates Alarmed by Dramatic Reductions Affecting Children in Governor's Budget

January 6, 2012 -- In response to Governor Brown's release of his 2012-13 budget proposal, a coalition of leading children's health advocates in California expressed concern about the scope of proposed cuts and fundamental changes to children's health care, and fear that such a proposal could significantly jeopardize access to health care for California children. Read the full press release.

Read a statement by Wendy Lazarus in response to the proposed 25.7% rate reduction to the Healthy Families Program.

Read coverage of this story in the LA Times article about the proposed budget.

Legislation Aims to Improve Dental Health of California Children

SB 694 (Padilla) would authorize a study to test new workforce models to increase access to dental care for California's children -- especially its most vulnerable children-- in places where there is no other access to dental care. Learn more.

Keeping the Promise of the Affordable Care Act for Families

Washington, DC - On December 13, 2011, Kristen Golden Testa joined researchers from the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research at a congressional briefing held by First Focus. The report "Proposed Regulations Could Limit Access to Affordable Health Coverage for Workers' Children and Family Members" provides key data that documents how this rule proposed by the US Treasury Department would leave 73,000 California children without affordable health care insurance options. In this statement by Ms. Testa, the Treasury Department is urged to change the "affordability rule" and include children's insurance premiums when determining whether job-based coverage is affordable.

Expanding California's Dental Team to Care for Underserved Children: New Times, New Solutions

Highlights the difficulties many children in California face in obtaining dental care and proposes expanding the dental team to meet the current and growing dental care needs of California's children. Download the issue brief here.

SHOP TALK: Recommendations for Ensuring Best Health Coverage Outcomes For Children and Families

This paper provides recommendations to the California Health Benefit Exchange Board (HBEX) as it proceeds with the implementation of the SHOP program for small employers. These recommendations are aimed at ensuring that families covered through SHOP have access to and understand the best affordable care available for children. Download here.