Health insurance for every child in America By Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)
American families put kids first every day. They work hard to give their children opportunities they never had. It’s called the American dream.
But in Washington, D.C., today, our government is making that dream almost unattainable, as 11 million children in America go without health insurance.
Two years ago, during the presidential campaign of 2004, I had the privilege of crisscrossing this nation and meeting great families every day. Their stories of struggle and sacrifice so inspired me that on the first day of the congressional session in January 2005 I introduced my Kids First plan to provide health insurance for every child in America.
Since that time, more than 800,000 people have signed up to be citizen co-sponsors and nearly 25 national healthcare, children’s and labor organizations — representing more than 20 million Americans — have joined as endorsers and promoters of Kids First. In one week alone, more than 20,000 people picked up the phone and called my offices to share their personal pleas on why we desperately need this plan.
It’s no wonder people are so upset about Washington’s indifference. One-third of kids with asthma nationwide suffer without the medication they need. In the wealthiest nation on the face of the earth, that is nothing short of a disgrace.
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