Innovations in Health Reform Updates - The Children's Partnership

As State Begins Significant Health Care Move for Children, Advocates Voice Concern and Advise Careful Monitoring

California plans to start moving children from the Healthy Families Program into Medi-Cal on January 1. The Children's Partnership joins other advocates to highlight the importance of assuring children’s health care is not disrupted.

“The health of the 875,000 children who will move from Healthy Families to Medi-Cal, as well as the nearly 3.7 million children currently in enrolled in Medi-Cal, depends on the success of this transition. All eyes will be on the state. We and families across California are counting on state officials to track and quickly resolve any problems that arise,” said Wendy Lazarus, Founder and Co-President of The Children’s Partnership.

Download the full press release here.

Terms:California, California Coverage, CHIP/Healthy Families, Press Release, Wendy Lazarus

Wendy Lazarus Focusing Attention on Monitoring Healthy Families Transition

California Healthline

State health officials will go on as scheduled with the first phase of the Healthy Families transition to Medi-Cal managed care, beginning January 1, 2013. Children's health advocates say they will do everything to support that effort while still keeping a careful eye on its progress.

"The signs are the Brown Administration will proceed with this, so the attention has to be on how to monitor what's happening," says Wendy Lazrus, founder and co-president of The Children's Partnership.

Download the article with her full comments here.

Terms:California Coverage, CHIP/Healthy Families, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, Press Clips, Wendy Lazarus

Kathleen Hamilton: Concern Amid Changes to California Kids' Health Coverage

California Watch

As 870,000 children are moved from the Healthy Families Program to Medi-Cal beginning January 1, 2013, children's advocates express concern about children having access to care. "Our worry is that there seems to be an intention to proceed with these transitions without that certainty that the doctors will be there to meet all these kids," said Kathleen Hamilton, director of governmental affairs with the Children's Partnership.

Download the full article. (PDF)

Terms:California Coverage, CHIP/Healthy Families, Kathleen Hamilton, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, Press Clips

California's Section 1115 Waiver Amendment Request Regarding the Children's Health Insurance Program Transition into Medicaid

The Children's Partnership signed-on with NHeLP and other California child advocate organizations to voice comments and concerns about California's Section 1115 Waiver Amendment Request regarding the Children's Health Insurance Program Transition to Medicaid Program.

Download the letter here .