For the second year in a row, California received a D+ grade for its performance in children's health care, according to a new report from the advocacy group Children Now, Payers & Providers reports.
California received a C- grade in Children Now's 2008 report and a B- grade in its 2006 and 2007 reports.
The organization said California was among a few states that have lost ground in children's health care, largely because of state budget cuts that nearly eradicated several services.
The report also noted that about one million California children currently lack health insurance coverage.
Low Oral Health Care Scores
California also received a D+ grade for its efforts to provide oral health care to children, down from the C- grade it earned in last year's report.
Children Now said it lowered the grade because of recent reductions in state spending on oral care and prevention in public schools (Payers & Providers, 1/7).