Health Care For Kids

Michael Finney Finds A South Bay
Program Getting National Attention
ABC News Channel 7

It's the Silicon Valley version of passing the hat: Send an e-mail to co-workers telling them about a worthy cause, and include the Web address where they can donate online.

June 11 — Santa Clara County officials got tired of waiting for a solution to our
health care crisis so local officials are did what the federal government wouldn't:
trying to insure every child in the county.

Miguel Ramirez is bringing his daughter, Sandy, to see the doctor because of
Santa Clara County's Healthy Kids insurance program.

Healthy Kids is the name of the health insurance offered to children in Santa
Clara County.

The rules are simple: you must live in the county and need insurance.

Even with an income of as much as $51,000 a year, a family of four qualifies
and that's keeping kids like Sandy healthy.

Sandy Ramirez: "Like my last appointment I was kind of sick then after a few
days or something they'll call and tell us are you okay? And if I'm not they'll
make me come back in and check me again."

Robert Sillen, Healthy Kids: "We want every kid in this county to have health
insurance."

Robert Sillen runs the Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital system, and
worked very hard to get the program up and going.

Robert Sillen, Healthy Kids: "Children's Health Initiative is the umbrella program.
It has two major components, one is outreach, education and enrollment.
The other is the insurance product which we named Healthy Kids."

Families are searched for and then signed up for health insurance — either
Healthy Kids or a state program if they qualify.

Although aimed at low-income workers, with today's economics, some
former high-fliers are needing help.

Robert Sillen, Healthy Kids: "If someone is out of a job and about to become
homeless or if they are maintaining their home, but they do not have income,
they would qualify for this, absolutely."

Miguel Ramirez first heard about the program after he lost his health insurance
following a layoff.

Miguel Ramirez: "I normally have a plan at work, but I needed to find something
else while I get a better job or whatever."

The program costs most families $4 per month per child. The cost to the
county is $1,000 per child, per year.

Since Santa Clara County began its program, San Francisco and Alameda
counties have set up similar plans. San Mateo is also working on a children's
health insurance program.

For more information on Santa Clara's Healthy Kids insurance program, visit
Healthy Kids online. You can also call (408) 874-1999.

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