Take Action: Ensure That All Children Benefit From Federal Health Care Reform!

Posted (12/01/09)

Health care reform has been at the forefront of the national debate, and the public reaction to pending reform legislation has intensified. It is critical to the future of Michigan and the country that all children are covered; have access to high-quality, affordable health care; and, are not worse off as a result of reform. 

On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives took an historical vote to pass health reform legislation, the Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009 (H.R. 3962). The Senate is currently debating its version, the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 3590). While both make significant changes to improve care for children and families, the CHIP program--better known as MIChild in Michigan--is handled differently.

The House eliminates the program and moves some children into the Exchange--an untested system--which is of particular concern. The Senate bill extends CHIP through 2019, but does not provide funding beyond 2013. Senator Bob Casey (D - PA) has introduced an amendment that would fund CHIP through 2019 and provide for other changes to strengthen CHIP coverage and protect these children.

Now is the time to contact your members of Congress!

Ask that they support health care reform -- thank those in the House who voted in support of the legislation--and ask Senators Levin and Stabenow to support the Casey CHIP amendment. Find out more in our December 1 Action Alert.

Take Action NOW to Prevent Deep Cuts in Critical Childrens' Services!

Posted (9/15/09)

With just two weeks to go before the end of the fiscal year, the Michigan Legislature has not yet adopted a budget for fiscal year 2010, which begins on October 1, 2009.  Legislators from both sides of the aisle expect that painful cuts will be made, but it is not yet clear how deep the cuts will be, or which programs will be targeted.

Legislative leaders are currently negotiating to find a solution to the state's budget deficit.  There are reports that they have negotiated a budget agreement that would include House approval of cuts of the same magnitudeas the Senate-passed budgets--which included $1.2 billion in cuts, eliminating most early childhood programs, deep cuts in health care services for low-income children and families, cuts in basic income supports, and cuts in K-12 education--with the hope that the Legislature would act later to restore some of the cuts through supplemental budget bills. This strategy puts thousands of Michigan children and their families at risk.

Advocates for children must act now to make sure that their legislators, legislative leaders, and the Governor understand that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of children and their families, and that other solutions to the state's budget woes must be forwarded, including tax reforms.  Find out more in our September 15 Action Alert.

Take Action NOW to Prevent Deep Cuts in Critical Early Childhood Services!

Posted (9/2/09)

The Michigan Legislature has not yet adopted a budget for fiscal year 2010 which begins on October 1, 2009.  As a result, some providers of state-funded early childhood services, including 0 to 3 Secondary Prevention grantees, are receiving 30-day notices that their funding may be discontinued.  For some providers, a disruption in services is unavoidable.  Others are holding on in the hope that the Governor and legislative leaders will find a solution to the state's structural budget deficit that doesn't hurt the state's youngest and most vulnerable citizens. 

Advocates for young children must act now to make sure that their legislators, legislative leaders, and the Governor understand that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of young children and their families, and that other solutions to the state's budget woes must be forwarded, including tax reforms.  Find out more in our August 31 Action Alert.

Congress is Home--Now is the Time to Advocate for Health Care Reforms With Children in Mind!

Posted (8/19/09)

Congress is now breaking for its August recess and members will be in districts.  At the forefront of the debates is health care reform, so now is the time for advocates for reforms that benefit children make their voices heard.  Michigan's children are losing health care insurance at significant rates: 6.2 percent in 2007 compared to 4.7 percent in 2006 were uninsured. With the continued job loss, economic recession, and rising health care costs this trend will continue.  Health care reform is increasingly important for Michiganders. 

We must not miss our opportunity to ensure that children have access to high-quality, affordable coverage.  It is urgent that you meet with our Congressional delegation now while they are home until September 7th.  Find out more in our August 19 Action Alert.

Take Action Now to Ensure Children Are Not an Afterthought in Health Care Reform!

Posted (7/21/09)

Congress is moving very quickly to pass health care reform legislation.  Michigan's children are losing health care insurance at significant rates: 6.2 percent in 2007 compared to 4.7 percent in 2006 were uninsured. With the continued job loss, economic recession, and rising health care costs this trend will continue.  Health care reform is increasingly important for Michiganders. 

It is certain that Congress is going to pass measures around health care and we must not miss our opportunity to ensure that children have access to high-quality, affordable coverage.  There are no do-overs for childhood.  Let's make sure Congress gets health care reform right the first time.  It is urgent that you contact the Michigan Congressional delegation now.  Find out more in our July 21 Action Alert.

Needed: Real Leaders for Michigan Families! The State Budget Cannot Be Balanced on the Backs of Children and Families

Posted (07/02/09) 

Your legislators are home for the Fourth of July break--visit with them and tell them that Michigan needs real leaders for our families to find solutions that will protect our vulnerable children and families.  The state budget cannot be balanced on the backs of these families.  Find out what you can do and who to contact in the July 2 Action Alert.