California State Specific Strategies

Children’s Health Initiatives – Over twenty counties operate Children’s Health Initiative [2] programs but unstable funding has lead to waiting lists and questions on future sustainability. These county-level programs have been quite successful in enrolling children and families into the Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program. In 2003, the state expanded health insurance coverage levels to 300 percent FPL for children residing in selected counties – Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara. Three of these counties have drawn federal matching funds for uninsured children to 300 percent FPL via the County Children’s Health Insurance Program [3] (C-CHIP). Currently, San Mateo County serves uninsured children up to 400 percent FPL using county funds. Alameda County chose not to participate in the C-CHIP and has not drawn federal matching funds. 

 

County Medical Services Program – The County Medical Services Program (CMSP) [4] was established in January 1983, when California law transferred responsibility for providing health care services to indigent adults from the State of California to California counties. Thirty-four counties participate. CMSP provides medical assistance to adults [5] (age 21-64) below 200 percent FPL who do not qualify for Medi-Cal. Other resource limits apply.