Children's Health Initiative Pledges to Continue Efforts Following Prop. 86 Defeat

Although California voters failed to approve Prop. 86 during last Tuesday's elections, the Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles is pledging to continue its efforts to provide health coverage for all children in LA County by working with the Governor and California legislators.

If the proposition had been approved, it would have provided for $2.1 billion annually to fund children's health insurance and other health-related programs through an additional $2.60 tax on each pack of cigarettes sold in California.

In LA County, the Children's Health Initiative, a coalition of 50 diverse organizations (including First 5 LA), launched Health Kids insurance in 2004 to provide health coverage for all children who are not otherwise eligible for state-sponsored programs.

Since its launch, the initiative has enrolled nearly 45,000 children from low-income families, and has worked with elected officials in Sacramento to find a long-term, sustainable solution to quality health care for all children.

"This was a missed opportunity to invest in expanding health coverage for all children," said Howard Kahn, CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, a co-convener of the initiative. "Although the proposition failed, we know that most Californians support universal health coverage for children, and we will act on that mandate."

For information about Healthy Kids insurance, visit www.first5la.org or call (888) FIRST5LA.