December 21, 2005
For Immediate Release

Alameda Alliance for Health Announces Open Enrollment for Children's Health Coverage Program
Healthy Kids Will Insure 1,000 Alameda County Children for $10 a Month

Alameda, CA -Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance) is pleased to announce the launch of the Healthy Kids program. Healthy Kids offers comprehensive medical, vision and dental coverage to low-income Alameda County children. To qualify for the program, children must be under the age of 19, ineligible for public programs, live in Alameda County and have a family income up to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $58,000 for a family of 4). Families are encouraged to apply regardless of immigration status.

Healthy Kids is a key component of the Children's Health Initiatives (CHIs) that have been formed by various counties in California. The CHIs enroll children into Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs, and also make available a local Healthy Kids program intended for children ineligible for public programs. Healthy Kids is not a government program. It is entirely locally funded. There are presently 16 Healthy Kids programs throughout the state.

"As a community health clinic, we see the value of providing much needed health care services to medically underserved children in Alameda County. Healthy Kids gives children access to essential preventive care and services that are critical to their development and ability to learn," said Jane Garcia, CEO of La Clinica de la Raza.

In Alameda County, Healthy Kids is supported by grants from: The California Endowment, Alameda County Measure A funds, Alameda County Tobacco Settlement funds, First 5 Alameda County and First 5 California. The Alliance continues to seek additional support for Healthy Kids from foundations, businesses and individuals to serve more children.

Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, chair of the Alameda County Children's Health Initiative, said, "Lack of access to quality health care services impacts the overall health of our community. The Healthy Kids program is a step in the right direction to expand health coverage for low-income children in Alameda County who desperately need a coordinated system of care. "

Enrollment in Healthy Kids is limited to 1,000 children and enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. For more information on enrollment, please contact the Alliance at 510-747-4567.

"We appreciate the support of our funders, which allows us to offer this vital program in Alameda County," said Alliance CEO Ingrid Lamirault. "While we are doing all we can to improve the health status of children in our community, it will take a larger effort to find long-term solutions to bring health coverage to all California children."

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Editors Note: A complete list of locations for application assistance follows on next page.

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 more than 93,500 Alameda County residents. Our members choose from a network of more than 1,100 community doctors, 16 hospitals, 28 community clinics and more than 145 pharmacies. For more information on the Alliance and its programs, visit www.alamedaalliance.com

Application assistance for Healthy Kids is available at the following locations:

Alameda Alliance for Health	Asian Health Services	Axis Community Health
1240 South Loop Road	818 Webster Street	4361 Railroad Avenue
Alameda, CA 94502	Oakland, CA 94607	Pleasanton, CA 94566
510-747-4567	510-986-6880	925-462-1755
La Clinica de La Raza	Tiburcio Vazquez Health Center	Tri-City Health Center
3451 East 12th Street	22331 Mission Boulevard	39500 Liberty Street
Oakland, CA 94601	Hayward, CA 94541	Fremont, CA 94538
510-535-3664 or 510-238-5441	510-471-5880 x 3321	510-770-8133 x 5851

West Berkeley Family Practice
2031 Sixth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
Membership Services
510-704-6010

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