Health Coverage for All Children Campaign

There’s a strong safety net for children in this country, which includes Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), but millions of children are falling through the cracks. The health care system desperately needs to be strengthened and simplified. There are more than 8 million uninsured children in America – that's one in ten. More than 2,200 children are born uninsured every day. Millions of families are losing employer-based coverage, struggling to afford health insurance premiums, or facing medical bills they can’t pay. Currently, two-thirds of uninsured children are eligible but complicated enrollment processes are slowing down the progress towards healthier children.

If we are to end the problem of children growing up without health coverage and ensure affordable coverage, real health reform is necessary. The good news is that Members of Congress agree that our health system is broken and are currently debating legislation to reform the system. Unfortunately, too few understand the unique health and developmental needs of children and the problems millions of families face when trying to access quality health care.

CDF is working with several national partners and has convened hundreds of groups and secured endorsements from almost 1,300 organizations representing more than 60 million people throughout the United States to champion principles for children and pregnant women.

Real Children's Health Reform in 2009

Guarantee every child and pregnant woman comprehensive health and mental health coverage this year!
Any health care reform legislation must include these principles for children:

• The System Must Be Simple and Seamless. There must be a streamlined application and enrollment process to make it easy for children to get and stay enrolled.  State bureaucratic barriers now keep about two-thirds of the uninsured children who are eligible for CHIP or Medicaid from enrolling.
• Benefits Must Be Comprehensive. Health reform must guranatee every child access to all medically necessary health and mental health services from head to toe to maximize a child's health and development.
• Coverage Must Be Affordable. All children up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (about $66,000 for a family of four) need cost sharing protections consistent with current out-of-pocket limits in Medicaid.

No child should be worse off as a result of health reform!

Download a fact sheet with these principles: Health Coverage for All Children

Be a Champion for Children's Health Coverage!

Join children, their parents and other champions for children from across the country in sending a strong and clear message to Congress and the President that real health reform for children means accessible, affordable and comprehensive health coverage for all children—no matter where they live. Join a Champions for Children's Health Stroller Brigade!

Health Reform Legislative Update

With their August recess wrapped up, Congress is back on Capitol Hill and health reform continues to take shape. Learn the latest on how health care reform legislation will affect children and whether or nor it is fulfilling CDF's key principles with our health reform legislative update.

Top 12 Children's Health Coverage Myths

We've collected the top 12 myths we've heard during the health care reform debate about children's health coverage and provided the facts behind them. Step up and be a voice for children by learning more and spreading the truth!

Prepare Yourself for the "Economic Argument" with Our Two Resources

Need some more resources to make your case that all children should have affordable, head-to-toe health coverage? Check out CDF's new resources on the economic argument!

Learn helpful facts on how the current economy is affecting families and their health coverage as well as how health reform will help put our country back on the path to economic recovery. Also, check out our top facts on how providing all children with quality health coverage is not only the right thing to do, but the smart and cost-effective thing to do!

CDF Launches Video Series

CDF has launched a series short videos aimed at engaging the public on the issue of children's health coverage and urging Congress to enact comprehensive reform to provide quality, affordable health coverage to all people, especially children—this year. Each video will highlight one of the principles CDF is urging lawmakers to include in reform legislation being drafted this month.

Check out the videos and share them with your friends and family!

Speak Now for Kids!

Speak Now for Kids in Health Reform is a national campaign sponsored by the National Association of Children’s Hospitals (N.A.C.H.). N.A.C.H. is joined by CDF and other national partners and supporting organizations from around the country who all care deeply about how children will be treated in health reform. Speak Now for Kids in Health Reform urges parents, family members, health care providers and other advocates to tell Congress why children matter in health reform – through stories, photos and videos.

Learn more about the campaign and take a moment to "Speak Now" to let Congress know in your own words what you think about children's health care.