First 5 San Luis Obispo County Receives $44,390 in Funds for
Healthy Kids Program

Joined with $125,000 commitment from First 5, funds help build momentum
for universal health coverage for San Luis Obispo County kids

(San Luis Obispo, CA) – First 5 San Luis Obispo County received $44,390 from the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation today for planning and start up funds for the county’s Healthy Kids program.

The award builds on the progress made through First 5 San Luis Obispo County’s commitment of $125,000 towards the universal health coverage effort in the county. A program is expected to launch in July 2004. First 5’s investment, as well as San Luis Obispo Community Foundation’s contribution, reinforces each organization’s commitment to providing county children the resources and help they need to learn and reach their greatest potential in life.

Currently, health insurance for children in San Luis Obispo County is provided in a patchwork manner, with different programs dependent on a child’s age and family income. Medi-Cal and Healthy Families, for example, offer health coverage to children living in families earning incomes up to 133 percent and 250 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), respectively. When launched, the Healthy Kids program will expand coverage to all children ages 0 to 18 by increasing the maximum income level to 300 percent of the FPL ($54,300 annual income for a family of four). Research shows that approximately 1,000 children in San Luis Obispo County lack health insurance.

“Thanks to the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, we’re one step closer to giving parents the opportunity to take their kids to the doctor for regular checkups, immunizations and treatments for chronic illnesses and give their children a healthy start that will last a lifetime,” said First 5 San Luis Obispo County Commissioner Joel Diringer. “We look forward to working with others to extend this commitment to all children in San Luis Obispo County.”

“Ensuring children’s access to health care is the cornerstone of a healthy community,” said Janice Fong Wolf, director of grants and programs of the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation. “Access to health care means that children stay healthy, receive the care they need and avoid problems that can hinder their early learning. It’s also a smart investment that will save the money down the road.”

According to the Children’s Defense Fund, children without health coverage have a 150 percent higher death rate than insured children. Studies show that children with health insurance receive more regular and preventive health care and continue to lead healthier lives, resulting in lower health care costs in the future. Parents are also five times more likely to seek treatment for their uninsured children at emergency rooms as their regular source of care than children who have insurance.

When children forgo doctors’ visits for chronic illnesses due to lack of health coverage, they don’t receive the medical care they need to stay healthy and as a result, miss school. Children without insurance are absent from school 25 percent more often than children with insurance. Studies also show that high absentee rates lead to lower academic achievement.

Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to support programs for expectant parents and children ages 0 to 5. First 5 San Luis Obispo County distributes approximately $2.3 million in Prop.10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs.