All Children Need Health Coverage

Since 1998, Children's Defense Fund-California has worked with our colleagues in the 100% Campaign (a collaborative effort of The Children's Partnership, Children Now, and Children's Defense Fund-California) to ensure that all of California's children gain access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage. Not only does health coverage improve children's well-being and help them reach their potential in school, investment in comprehensive health coverage for children is cost-effective because it promote access to less expensive preventative care and treatment.

Our efforts to expand coverage for children, simplify enrollment processes, and support outreach efforts have paid off in a significant decline in the number of uninsured children in the state.

More than one million California children remain uninsured, including close to 700,000 children who are currently eligible for public health coverage, but not enrolled. Our state must step up to the plate and take immediate action to significantly reduce the number of uninsured children in California.

One opportunity to reverse this trend is the passage and implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). The 100% Campaign is working with organizations and policymakers throughout the State and in the Obama Administration to make sure that California implements the law is a way that is good for children.

The ACA is already improving health coverage and access for millions of California's children and young adults, and will strengthen health care even more in the future. As a result of the ACA, California children have better access to quality, affordable coverage that can’t be taken away when they need it most. Find out more about children and the Affordable Care Act.

Meanwhile, many children are already eligible for no or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, and county coverage programs. Families can find out if their child qualifies for free or low-cost health coverage by calling 1-877-KIDS-NOW or visiting www.healtheapp.net.