November 13, 2014
By Chris Thomas,
SAN FRANCISCO – California agencies and nonprofits have stressed the value of health insurance for children – and in the Hispanic community, it’s paying off.
The Golden State is one of three standouts in a new report that examines what 10 states are doing to cover Hispanic kids. According to the report, California’s rate of uninsured Hispanic children is slightly more than 9.5 percent, compared with a national rate of 11.5 percent.
Kristen Golden Testa, California health director for the Children’s Partnership, says the main reasons for the state’s headway in Latino coverage are its early start on Medicaid expansion, and a commitment to make the signup process easier for parents.
“Our state made sure we partnered with local folks that know the individuals in very specific communities, rather than just putting things in Spanish,” she says. “There’s many different Spanish-speaking communities throughout California.”
The report, from the National Council of La Raza and the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, says progress also has been made nationally. The rate of uninsured Hispanic children was almost 16 percent just four years ago.
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