SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Health and Human Services Agency will receive $39 million over three years to pay for health care for uninsured individuals, the governor's office announced Thursday.

The health department in Orange County will get $50.4 million, and Los Angeles County will receive $162 million.

The funding is part of a federal hospital financing waiver, which established the state's Health Care Coverage Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to expand coverage for people who are uninsured and not eligible for insurance through existing programs such as MediCal.

In all, 10 counties across the state will receive a total of $540 million over three years.

"Counties have delivered forward-thinking proposals to provide primary and preventive care to uninsured Californians, which will help ease the burden on our overcrowded emergency rooms," said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"By promoting health and wellness, covering the uninsured and increasing affordability, California can create a model that the rest of the nation can follow," he said.

An estimated 180,000 low-income, uninsured Californians are expected to be enrolled in health coverage programs thanks to the funding.

"This initiative will help 10 of California's counties implement health care programs that include preventive and primary care services to uninsured persons who have chronic health care conditions or high health care costs," said Sandra Shewry, director of the California Department of Health Services.