The Riverside Foundation will spend $1 million to create a pilot program to help the working uninsured get health insurance — even without the state’s participation.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s original budget proposed spending $7.7 million to help the working poor. The program would have helped small businesses offer health insurance to their low-income workers. Under the plan, the state would have paid for one-third of the employee’s health insurance premium, while the employee and employer would each contribute a third of the cost.

When it appeared the program would fall victim to a tight budget year, the Riverside Foundation offered $1 million for a pilot program. Riverside Foundation, the charitable arm of Riverside Health System in Hampton Roads, offered its grant if the state would spend $500,000 for the plan.

But the program was not included in the General Assembly’s final budget, leaving Riverside’s donation up in the air. Riverside announced this week it would continue the program without state money.

The Daily Press reports the program will be aimed at businesses with two to 50 employees that don’t already offer health insurance. It would likely only cover employees whose income levels are at 200 percent of the poverty line or below (a household income of $40,000 for a family of four). It would follow Kaine’s model, covering one-third of the health insurance premium up to $75.

Riverside hopes the program will encourage state legislators to fund a larger program.