The Legislature declares all of the following:

(a) Approximately 1.6 million California children, 17 percent of children ages 17 and under, have no health insurance. One in four California children, which is 2.3 million, rely on Medi-Cal for insurance coverage, while just over half of the state’s children, 53 percent, have employment-based coverage through a parent.

(b) Most uninsured California children come from low-income families, with nearly 75 percent of uninsured children (1.2 million) living in families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Children whose families earn incomes between 100 and 200 percent of the federal poverty level, an estimated 580,000 children, are among the most vulnerable of populations. Their families make too much money to generally qualify for free Medi-Cal, are employed in working class jobs that typically do not offer insurance, and cannot afford private health insurance. In short, affordability remains a major barrier to obtaining coverage.

(c) Notwithstanding the generally good health of children, health insurance coverage is important to ensure that they receive the health care that is essential to monitor their growth, nutrition, and development and to address potential health problems early.

(d) Lack of insurance coverage for children results in reduced access to medical services, resulting in restricted access to primary and preventive care and increased reliance on emergency rooms and hospitals for treatment. Timely treatment for infectious and chronic diseases can prevent more serious medical conditions in children of all ages.

(e) When a child is seriously ill or injured, the costs of needed medical care can force families into financial ruin.

(f) That by July 1, 1998, there shall be in place a program providing access to health coverage to all children residing in households with family incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that the program comply with the requirements of Title XXI of the Social Security Act, also know as the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 623, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)