A healthy child embodies a wellspring of potential: to learn, to grow, to become. Each generation of healthy children promises a bright future for our whole community.

But today the poorest, most vulnerable children in Santa Cruz County often don't get the care they need because they are uninsured. As a result, they are forced to go without both routine and urgent medical attention.

The cumulative costs of poor health are enormous. According to a recent study by the Journal of Public Health, uninsured children who are hospitalized are 60% more likely to die than hospitalized children with health insurance. This is very likely because uninsured children too often go without routine, preventive treatments from a regular medical home and delay seeking care until health problems are costly and serious.

Dental disease alone, the number one chronic health problem of children nationally, results in millions of missed school days, severe pain, and poor self esteem. However, such illnesses can be completely prevented through routine medical and dental care.

Why Health Insurance?

While health insurance makes good medical sense, it also makes good fiscal sense.

Preventive care saves money by remedying minor problems before they become urgent and expensive.

Uninsured children are five times more likely to be treated in an Emergency Room, the only alternative for the uninsured.

In contrast, health insurance links families to a primary care physician, eliminating the need for costly Emergency Room treatment, care which is ultimately paid for by consumers and taxpayers.

All children need a source of regular health care to ensure that they are healthy and able to reach their greatest potential.

Barriers to Insurance

Health insurance programs for children are cobbled together from several different programs relative to a child's age, family income, and residency status.

Complex enrollment processes are difficult to navigate. Many working families simply don't qualify. Others don't understand the complicated eligibility standards.

The result leaves too many children uninsured, which compromises their chance to achieve a healthy, productive future.

The Solution: Healthy Kids of Santa Cruz County

Healthy Kids of Santa Cruz County is a Health Plan initially made possible by local government and other agency funding.

It provides comprehensive medical, vision, and dental care, timely vaccinations, mental health and in- and out-patient hospital visits.

Modeled after similar, pioneering programs in Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco Counties, the Plan is endorsed by the Medical Society of Santa Cruz County and leading physicians.

Thanks to the community-wide coalition lead by local health care and other leaders, uninsured children in Santa Cruz County are now efficiently linked to a primary care physician and have a medical home via health insurance.

Whether children come from families who are homeless or from single-parent households that struggle to survive on minimum wage, they will have access to the basic health care they need and deserve.