Local Low-Income Chronically Ill Kids Could Lose Health Coverage

Children and young adults in Murrieta may be at risk of losing healthcare coverage under the California Children's Services program.

The program, which picks up the healthcare costs of low-income kids with chronic medical conditions, is targeted for a double-digit cut by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, which has scheduled a public hearing to gauge the impact of the funding reduction.

In Murrieta, 363 children and young adults currently receive assistance under the program.

On May 16, the board will hold a Beilenson hearing on its proposal to slash 20 percent in general fund appropriations for the California Children's Services program.

Beilenson hearings--named for their architect, former California lawmaker Anthony C. Beilenson--are required under state law to give parties potentially affected by healthcare cuts an opportunity to address policymakers.

During budget hearings in March, the board tentatively approved across-the-board spending cuts averaging 19 percent to rein in deficit spending in fiscal 2011-12. The county has been drawing down reserves for the past three years to balance its budget.

The California Children's Services program is state-mandated and administered by the county, which also kicks in between 17 and 50 percent of the funding, depending on a patient's household income, which generally cannot exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Patients do not have to be uninsured to qualify.

According to state officials, CCS can be used in combination with Medi-Cal and the California Healthy Families program, both of which offer taxpayer-funded coverage for eligible residents.

According to figures released by the Riverside County Department of Public Health, 11,173 children and young adults--up to 21 years of age--receive assistance under CCS countywide.

"These figures do not include more than 400 pending cases (in the county)," said Jose Arballo, Jr., spokesperson for the Riverside County Department of Public Health.

Susan Harrington of the Riverside County Department of Public Health said benefits can include payments for treatment of children in intensive care, suffering from cancer or another life-threatening disease.

The program also covers the cost of durable medical equipment and medication,
she said.

The planned cuts to CCS in fiscal 2011-12 would amount to nearly $1.3 million. The county's general fund commitment to the program in the current fiscal year was $5.46 million, according to Harrington.

She said the health department estimated 436 applicants for coverage under CCS would have to be denied to stay within budget. The county averages 3,355 new cases each year. 

"Everything is on a first-come, first-served basis,'' Harrington said.

According to the public health director, the county is also planning a 20 percent cut to her department's overall budget, the net effect of which would be decreased service at the county's 10 family care centers, including the Temecula Neighborhood Healthcare center, where many Murrieta children likely receive their care. There are also family care centers in nearby Lake Elsinore and Hemet.

The clinics offer low- and no-cost primary care medical appointments.

Harrington said the reduction in general fund support would translate to about 10,000 fewer visits to the clinics, likely resulting in patients seeking treatment in crowded emergency rooms.

City News Service and Maggie Avants contributed to this report