April 17, 2006
For Immediate Release

Healthy Families Open Enrollment in Effect through May 31
Alameda Alliance for Health Promotes Health Care Coverage for Alameda County Children

Alameda, CA - Open Enrollment for the state funded Healthy Families Program is currently in effect. From April 15 to May 31, a family can choose health, dental and vision plans for children who qualify for the program. By selecting the Healthy Families Community Provider Plan in the county, enrollees will pay lower monthly premiums. In Alameda County, Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance) is the designated Community Provider Plan. Children who enroll in the Alliance will pay a program cost ranging from $7- $15 per child per month, depending on family income level. A family's monthly premium will not exceed $36, no matter how many children enroll in Healthy Families.

The Healthy Families Program offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage to low-income California children. To qualify, children must be under the age of 18, ineligible for Medi-Cal and have a family income up to 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $50,000 for a family of 4). The program serves children who are U.S. citizens, nationals or eligible qualified immigrants.

"Providing access to comprehensive coverage has always been a top priority for the Alliance. There are more than 21,000 uninsured children under age 18 in Alameda County and it's estimated that 5,000 of these children qualify for the Healthy Families Program, but are not enrolled," said Alliance CEO Ingrid Lamirault. While, the Alliance works closely with community organizations and schools to outreach to families, additional help is needed to get the word out to ensure that we reach all eligible children."

Health care coverage is critical to a children's health and has been connected to their success in school. The 2002 report, Sicker & Poorer: The Consequences of Being Uninsured, by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid & the Uninsured, found that children insured through the Healthy Families Program show a 68% improvement in "paying attention"and "keeping up with school activities. "

According to Dr. Arthur Chen, Alliance Chief Medical Officer, children who do not have health coverage often experience needless developmental delays, preventable illnesses and untreated injuries. They also tend to miss more school days. "Children need essential preventive care services to ensure healthy development, and the Alliance is dedicated to providing families access to these services through low-cost health care coverage"

The Healthy Families open enrollment period is also an opportunity to educate the public on available health coverage options. In addition to the Healthy Families Program, the Alliance offers comprehensive and affordable coverage for low-income Alameda County residents through Medi-Cal, Healthy Kids and Group Care.

Medi-Cal is a federal and state funded health program that provides low-cost or no-cost comprehensive medical, vision and dental coverage to low-income families, the elderly and the disabled who qualify. Income requirements vary.

Healthy Kids offers low-cost comprehensive health, vision and dental coverage to children 0-18 years of age. To qualify for the program, children must live in Alameda County, be ineligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families and have a family income up to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($60,000 for a family of four).

Group Care offers comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers in Alameda County who qualify.

For more information on enrollment in the Healthy Families Program or for other health programs available through the Alliance, please call 510-747-4567.

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Alameda Alliance for Health, established in 1996, is a local not-for-profit, state-licensed health plan providing low-cost and no-cost comprehensive health care services to nearly 90,000 Alameda County residents. Alliance members choose from a network of more than 1,600 community doctors, 10 hospitals, 26 community clinics and more than 140 pharmacies. For more information on the Alliance and its programs, visit www.alamedaalliance.org

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