LOS ANGELES: CHCF Grant Will Cover 7,000 Uninsured Kids
Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan (R) today announced that the California HealthCare Foundation has donated $1.5 million to help 7,000 children who do not qualify for state-subsidized insurance but whose parents cannot afford health coverage. "Every child deserves access to quality health care. Thanks to the California HealthCare Foundation, young Angelenos will now have a change to enjoy healthy childhoods," Riordan said. Mark Smith, president and CEO of the foundation, said, "Our mission is to improve the health of the people of California. The mayor requested our assistance with this. We were glad to help." The Los Angeles Times reports that the grant "represents the most tangible result" of Riordan's Commission for Healthy Kids. According to Michael Koch, executive director of the California Kids Health Care Foundation, the grant will help foot the bill for comprehensive primary care, including dental, vision, mental health and prescription drug benefits. The Los Angeles Times reports that program sponsors "hope that children will only use the program for a short time, bridging a temporary period while their families work to qualify for other insurance." (Newton, 2/10). Click here for recent CHL coverage of uninsured Los Angeles children.
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