Health insurance for every child in America (By Sen. John Kerry)

[ProSense]

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.

more...

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/051006/ss_kerry.html

[ProSense]

1. California Dems pushing to cover children

Panel adds funds to California budget for children's health insurance

By CLEA BENSON
Sacramento Bee
09-MAY-06

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- In an attempt to pressure Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to honor his pledge to provide health coverage for all California children, Assembly Democrats on Monday added $50 million for children's insurance to next year's proposed budget.

The vote by the Assembly budget subcommittee on health and human services means lawmakers _ and the Republican governor _ will have to accept or reject the proposal as they debate spending for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

About 900,000 Californians under 18 are uninsured. And only half of those children are eligible for existing government insurance programs such as Medi-Cal or Healthy Families.

Snip...

Democrats believe it is time to act on children's insurance, Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, said in an interview.

http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=HEALTHINSURANCE-05-09-06

[wisteria]

2. This is an excellent reintroduction to his Kids First plan.

As it is written, it is easy to understand. I even think if this plan were implemented it would save insurance costs by addressing health issues before they become worse and require emergency intervention. Making sure all children are insured really does benefit us all down the road. For the most part healthy children = happy, healthy, productive, contributing adults.