HEALTHY FAMILIES: Hits 100,000 Mark After 10 Months

      Gov. Gray Davis announced yesterday that the Healthy Families Program has reached its goal of enrolling 100,000-plus uninsured children from low-income families. "To California's mothers and families, this milestone is more than just a number," Davis said, adding, "It represents 100,000 children who now have a healthy shot at success in life, and all of their parents who now have the peace of mind that comes with not having to worry when their child has the slightest cough or gets into the most minor of accidents." The administration's streamlining of the eligibility application from 28 to four pages, its establishment of a toll-free hotline for assistance and the application's availability in 10 languages, are all responsible for the recent spike in enrollment, Davis explained at a health care clinic in East Los Angeles. To expand outreach efforts even further, First Lady Sharon Davis will serve as Healthy Families' official spokesperson. "While these numbers are cause for celebration, I won't be completely satisfied until every child in the State of California has access to quality, affordable health care," Gov. Davis said (release, 5/10).