Help Shift the Debate for Health Care Reform Towards Kids

For the next few months the overriding focus in Washington is likely to be health care reform. Legislation is being debated in several Congressional committees, and President Obama has called for a bill to be on his desk before the August recess. However, the topic of children has not received major coverage so far. At Every Child Matters, we believe that discussion of this reform must include how children are going to be covered, and what will change for the millions who are covered through Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. As the debate continues, we will continue to keep you updated on how the health reform process relates to children.

In the meantime, here are some ways you can get involved in this ongoing debate:

1. Health Care for America NOW, or HCAN, will be holding a nationwide, grassroots rally on June 25th, to lobby every Member of Congress in support of quality, affordable health care for all. To learn more about the rally, and to find out how to get involved in your state, »Click Here.
2. If you haven't already, please sign our petition which presents a set of principles regarding children that must be considered in the health care reform debate. »Read and sign the petition here. If you have already signed, thank you!
3. Both the New York Times and the Washington Post have compiled their recent health reform related articles, opinion pieces, and blog posts into a more user friendly one page format. Many of these articles will allow for people to post comments, which you can use as opportunities to make kids a part of the discussion. Read the ongoing coverage of the health reform debate from the New York Times here, and visit the Washington Post site here.
4. As always, you can forward this message to your friends, family, and colleagues to get them involved.

Thank you for your help to make children a political priority!