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Healthy Families Program Will Get A Booster Shot

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

By Kenny Goldberg and KPBS Public Broadcasting

Audio

Aired 4/19/09

 

A state program that provides health insurance to 900-thousand California children will get a much needed financial shot in the arm. The commission that hands out tobacco tax money says it will give the Healthy Families program nearly 17-million dollars. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

 

The Healthy Families program offers medical, vision, and dental coverage to kids from poor households.

 

Program officials had considered freezing enrollment because of California's budget crunch.

 

Wendy Lazarus is with the advocacy group Children's Partnership . She says the influx of 17-million dollars will be a lifesaver.

 

Wendy Lazarus: It means that tens of thousands of kids who need health insurance and would have sat on a waiting list, are now gonna be able to get the healthcare they need 'cause they'll have health insurance.

 

The money will allow Healthy Families to operate until next June. By then, program officials expect to get financial help from the federal government.

 

 Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.

 

 

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