HEALTHY FAMILIES: Bakersfield Californian Sticks Up For Governor’s Approach
An editorial in yesterday's Bakersfield Californian says some of the recent criticism of the Healthy Families program is "misguided." The editorial takes issue with the critics: "Nitpicking about start-up problems and some structural issues smacks of failing to see the policy benefit forest for the administrative trees." Countering arguments that the Healthy Families program created an unwieldy bureaucracy, the editorial notes that Gov. Pete Wilson "specifically wanted to provide an incentive and reward for the working poor -- people who work rather than go on welfare." And by creating a new program separate from Medi-Cal, Wilson "could tailor the qualifications to that population and not be restricted by Medi-Cal rules."
Don't Miss The Bigger Picture
The Californian concedes that the program may have a few problems -- such as the lengthy and complex application process -- but the paper says these mostly amount to "start-up" issues. "If criticism helps" officials "streamline" and improve the process, "well and good." But, the piece concludes, "we hope it does not deflect attention from the overall goals of the program and the good that can come from innovation" (7/16).