Meet Julia

For Julia, it's a FAMIS success story.

Back in the mid-1990s, Julia never dreamed that she would one day have to turn to the government for health insurance for her children. At the time, she was married and had a good job with a Fortune 500 company. Her employer's health plan cost Julia less that $100 a month for family coverage. But things have a way of changing in life, and they did for Julia.

She got downsized at work, reducing her income and costing her that wonderful health care benefit. Then a divorce meant she would be raising three children all on her own. Julia found a new job but, unfortunately, her employer's health plan wasn't nearly as generous as the first. Her new monthly cost was almost $400. Julia realized that to pay so much, she would be unable to afford some other necessary monthly costs.

That's when she found out about FAMIS, Virginia's health insurance program for children. Julia found the enrollment process very easy and the FAMIS employees to be helpful, friendly and respectful.

That was six years ago. Today, Julia's three children are still covered by FAMIS. It has helped the family get through a broken arm, appendicitis and other medical needs that growing children encounter. Julia says she doesn't worry now, as her children see good doctors, get regular checkups and all the medical attention they need.

Julia is extremely grateful for the help FAMIS has provided. So, what would she tell parents who haven't signed up for FAMIS? In her own words: "Every child deserves to be covered by health insurance. But sometimes, even though families work really hard, it's difficult to pay for everything. So just apply. Get the help your family needs."

We couldn't say it any better.