With many Americans struggling to afford health insurance quotes, states are working hard to find solutions.  According to the article “California Leaders Back Health Program for the Poor” found on HealthInsuranceNews.com, California lawmakers just voted to levy tax on health insurers to help the program designed to help poor children.

The program is called Healthy Families and insures about 700,000 children whose parents are struggling to afford individual health insurance for themselves or their families but make too much to qualify for Medicaid.  The program was almost eliminated last year because of roughly $175 million in cuts made by lawmakers and Governor Schwarzenegger.  Recently, Republicans and Democrats have come together to pass the new bill.

This new legislation replaces the current tax on insurance companies that was about to go away with the smaller levy.  The new one will ultimately give insurance companies reimbursements through a mix of Medicaid matching funds and federal stimulus income.  If this bill can help avoid 600,000-700,000 children from being uninsured, but they’ve done their job and it’s truly a good thing and a step in the right direction towards getting health care coverage to everyone.