Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM) program - This state-funded program was established in 1992. AIM offers low-cost health coverage for pregnant women and their newborns. It has been designed for middle-income families who don’t have health insurance and whose income is too high to qualify for no-cost Medi-Cal. AIM is also available to those who have health insurance if their deductible or co-payment for maternity services is more than $500. This program provides coverage for those between 200 and 300 percent FPL. In 2004, the state began enrolling infants born of AIM enrollees into the Healthy Families Program, California’s SCHIP program. California now draws Title XXI (SCHIP) funds to cover pregnant women between 200 and 300 percent FPL.
Children’s Health Initiatives – Over twenty counties operate
Children’s Health Initiative programs but unstable funding has lead to waiting lists and questions on future sustainability. These county-level programs have been quite successful in enrolling children and families into the Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program. In 2003, the state expanded health insurance coverage levels to 300 percent FPL for children residing in selected counties – Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara. Three of these counties have drawn federal matching funds for uninsured children to 300 percent FPL via the
County Children’s Health Insurance Program (C-CHIP). Currently, San Mateo County serves uninsured children up to 400 percent FPL using county funds. Alameda County chose not to participate in the C-CHIP and has not drawn federal matching funds.
County Medical Services Program –
The County Medical Services Program (CMSP) was established in January 1983, when California law transferred responsibility for providing health care services to indigent adults from the State of California to California counties. Thirty-four counties participate.
CMSP provides medical assistance to adults (age 21-64) below 200 percent FPL who do not qualify for Medi-Cal. Other resource limits apply.
