BURLINGAME – As health insurance costs continue to soar, the 335,000-member California Teachers Association today is launching a statewide radio ad campaign to alert parents about the state's affordable, Healthy Families public insurance program for children.
"Over 1 million California children don't have health insurance and don't get regular health care," CTA President Barbara E. Kerr says in the radio spot. "That means more missed school days and less learning."
Kerr then reminds listeners that CTA has teamed up with the California Association of Health Plans to help out in the crisis, with funding from The California Endowment, a health care foundation. With its health plan partners, CTA's "Teachers for Healthy Kids" project is entering its third successful year of educating teachers about the state's insurance plans so they can alert parents in lower-income school districts.
Three Northern California teachers in the ad talk about good health care making a big difference for student learning. Kerr concludes in the spot: "If you or someone you know has a child who needs health coverage, ask a teacher."
Teachers began telling parents in 2002 about the state's low-cost Healthy Families health insurance and the no-cost Medi-Cal program, and student enrollment in the plans has increased since then. Income eligibility rules allow working families to qualify. For example, under the Healthy Families program, a family of four with an annual income of up to $47,136 is eligible for medical, dental and vision care for children aged 18 and younger. Monthly premiums are only $4 to $9 per child, up to a maximum of $27 per month per family.
Children access the public health insurance through private health plans. The CTA ad is airing on 56 radio stations until the end of November, including Spanish- and Asian-language stations. More information about the CTA project is available at www.TeachersForHealthyKids.com.
Listen to the Healthy Kids radio ad by clicking here.