Children caught in the middle

Aurelio Rojas
Sacramento Bee

For children in low-income families, the state-run Healthy Families program has been a godsend.

The program, which receives $2 from the federal government for every $1 California spends, provides health, dental and vision coverage for roughly 835,000 children whose parents earn more than Medi-Cal allows.

"Without this program we couldn't afford to take the children to a doctor when they get sick," said Juanita Gonzales of Woodland, a stay-at-home mom whose husband does not receive health insurance through his employer and whose sons, 5-year-old Jose and 3-year-old Juan, are covered by Healthy Families.