Helping children
State Senators Roy Ashburn and Dean Florez and Assemblymembers Danny Gilmore, Jean Fuller and Connie Conway should be commended for their leadership to successfully pass fiscally responsible legislation that protects the health of the children of Kern County without increasing costs to taxpayers while bringing more federal funding to our state.
Sen. Ashburn and Assemblymember Gilmore in particular deserve our thanks for speaking out on the floors of their respective chambers on behalf of children's health coverage.
Thanks to our Kern County legislators, nearly 27,000 children in Kern County and nearly one million children statewide will continue receiving critically needed health care coverage through Healthy Families. This program has enabled children with diabetes, asthma and other illnesses to get they care they need, and has allowed kids to consistently see the doctor or dentist to prevent minor illness from becoming much more severe, deadly and costly. Their efforts will literally save lives.
This move was a smart investment in California's future. As we look ahead to addressing next year's state budget challenge, this work gives a great example of thinking short and long-term and using our state funds most effectively, while placing a high priority on California's children.
DELLA HODSON
President
United Way of Kern County
