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State Deficit Could Limit Healthy Families Program

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Nov 20, 2008 6:42 pm US/Pacific

State Deficit Could Limit Healthy Families Program

Reporting
Andrea Menniti

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―

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Norma Rendon's three children have been without health insurance for two months and medical bills are piling up.

"It's expensive and medicine is the same, very expensive," says Norma.

Now, Norma is turning to the state for help. But, if the Healthy Families Program halts their enrollment, Norma won't be able to go to the doctor.

Unfortunately, the program is feeling the heat from state budget cuts. Board members may have to turn away children for the first time, which means more than 160,000 children would be waitlisted.

Dr. Cesar Banda says if that happens, families making too much money to qualify for Medi-Cal but are "underinsured" will have nowhere to turn.

"It is very important; it's going to be very difficult for them," say Dr. Banda.

Currently, 900,000 children are enrolled in the program -- children who otherwise would have no coverage.

And if the enrollment freeze threat wasn't enough to deal with, Anthem Blue Cross announced it is dropping current Healthy Families patients, leaving Californians with fewer options.

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