Ever since Nickfredy Gutierrez was born prematurely 12 years ago with hydrocephalus, a tube has drained fluid and relieved pressure from his brain. He has had several surgeries and sees his medical specialists every three months.
His mother, Mercedes Maldonado, says her son is alive today because of the medical care he gets at Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center through California Children's Services, a little-known state program that pays for specialized medical care for children with severe illnesses or birth defects.