VOICES FOR AMERICA’S CHILDREN CHEERS HEALTH REFORM PASSAGE

Health reform will help more than 8 million uninsured children get age-appropriate care
For Immediate Release:
March 21, 2010

WASHINGTON – Voices for America’s Children (Voices), the nation’s largest network of child advocacy groups,
Sunday praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Senate health bill, saying the bill will help all children get more age-appropriate care, including the eight million currently uninsured.

“The health care bill bolsters Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, covers the uninsured, ends insurer discrimination against preexisting conditions for children and helps children and families in countless other ways,” said Bill Bentley, president and CEO of Voices. “What a relief to finally deliver these wins for children.”

Voices’ participation in the debate was recognized by congressional leadership Sunday, when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi cited Voices as part of the broad coalition behind the health reform effort.

“To the American Medical Association, the Catholic Health Association, the United Methodist Church, and Voices [for] America’s Children,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “From A to Z — they are sending a clear message to members of Congress: Say yes to health care reform.”

The Voices Network, in partnership with the Children’s Leadership Council and other child advocates, was
instrumental in last year’s reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which helps provide coverage for millions of children and pregnant mothers of modest means.  Voices has advised policymakers and educated the general public on what policies can improve the well-being of children most.

“Too many families were priced out of coverage in this country, and too many of those with coverage couldn’t rely on it or saw the costs skyrocket,” said Bentley. “We are proud of the provisions that provide families greater affordability, accessibility, and accountability.”

Voices member organizations nationwide cheered the bill’s promises for better child health care in their locality.

“Health reform is a major victory for children and families. It delivers what families need – affordable, reliable health coverage that won’t disappear if they lose a job or get sick. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and start working to make sure that it works for the millions of America’s families who will be expecting results,” Voices for Utah Children Executive Director Karen Crompton said. The economic crisis has taken a devastating toll on Ohio families, as well as Ohio state health services,” said Amy Swanson, chair of the Member Leadership Council for Voices and executive director of Voices for Ohio’s Children, a Voices member organization.  “We welcome health reform as a way to improve family health and how we provide for
it in a time of great financial need.”

“From the beginning of this debate, AACF has advocated for a plan that ensures comprehensive, affordable and accessible health care for Arkansas’s low-and-moderate-income children and their families – without burdening our nation’s budget,” said Rich Huddleston, executive director of Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families. “Today we are one step closer to helping tens of thousands of uninsured Arkansas children and their families who live in fear of not being able to pay for medical care.”

Now attention turns to reconciliation efforts, where Voices also sees potential gains for child health. “We look forward to better child health policy through the reconciliation process as well,” said Bentley. “We’ll be monitoring ways that we can increase access to care for our children through an increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rate, as well as other policies that can help struggling families.”