May 8, 2011 - CCHI Champions for Children 2011 Award

On May 8, 2011, the California Children's Health Initiatives (CCHI) recognized The Palo Alto Medical Foundation-Santa Cruz Region and Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center in Santa Cruz as Champions for Children 2011. CCHI is the statewide organization of Healthy Kids programs working to ensure access to care for California children and their families.

Santa Cruz PAMF and Sutter have distinguished themselves by the enormous investment they've made in covering local children. Since 2003, when these organizations began sponsoring the costs of premiums for the Healthy Families program, to today when they are a cornerstone funder of the Healthy Kids program, PAMF/Sutter has invested over $1.4 million dollars to ensure access to care for all Santa Cruz County children. This leadership donation has helped Healthy Kids of Santa Cruz County cover over 17,000 children since we launched in 2004.

Special thanks go to Dr. Larry deGhetaldi, whose leadership has ensured such generous support. Larry consistently advocates for Healthy Kids in policy forums and through meetings with state and federal legislators regarding health care reform, pointing to the program as a model for how to improve health and reduce costs. From the PAMF physicians' annual golf tournament, to advocacy within the wider PAMF network, Larry has been an unflagging supporter.

Such generosity is driven by Larry's belief that all children - regardless of circumstance - deserve access to health care so they can learn, grow, and thrive, and so his organization must share this award with him, another true Champion for Children.

Here’s an update about our program:

Healthy Kids today. There are currently about 1,700 children enrolled in Healthy Kids. We are open to new enrollment for children age 5 and under, but unfortunately, enrollment is frozen for 6-18 year olds at this time. In addition, we continue to enroll all eligible children into Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs (over 3,600 kids last year).

Looking ahead. The Central California Alliance for Health just pledged $500,000 to Healthy Kids, which makes up for the major foundation funding that ends this year.

So we will not have to disenroll any of the 1,700 children currently covered. This also gives us more time to raise more funds to cover as many local children as possible – for as long as we can.

You can help. Healthy Kids is sustained by local donations. For just $85 you can provide access to comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and mental health services for one local child for a month. For $1,020 you can insure a child for a year.

Any amount will help. To give to Healthy Kids, please give on-line to Healthy Kids of Santa Cruz County Insurance Fund.

Healthy Kids is our community’s local brand of health care reform. With your help, we can continue to ensure that Santa Cruz County children enjoy the healthiest possible start in life!

With thanks, from the Healthy Kids Fundraising Committee:
Martina O’Sullivan, Chair, Dominican Hospital
Christina Cuevas, Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County
Mary Lou Goeke, United Way of Santa Cruz County
Robin Larsen, Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County
Raquel Ramirez Ruiz, Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust

Enroll Today to Get Health Insurance For Your Kids!

It's easy to qualify. Please call 831-763-8568 or 454-2515 or visit one of our Enrollment Assistance Locations to find the most convenient location and time for enrollment assistance.

Children are eligible if they:

1. Live in Santa Cruz County
2. Are under 19 years of age
3. Have not been covered by employer paid insurance in the last 3 months
4. Have a family income of no more than 300% of the federal poverty level

For more information, check out our Enrollment section, describing the Health Plans available and the Enrollment Eligibility for more details.

If you have any questions, please contact us or one of our Enrollment Assistance Locations for more help.