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Health Coverage for All Children Campaign
CDF's Health Coverage for All Children Campaign, a national, state, and local initiative to guarantee comprehensive health and mental health coverage for all children and pregnant women in America.
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Kevin, Monica & Pedro
Kevin, 12; Monica, 16; Pedro, 18, Austin, Texas: Valencia and her three children, 12-year-old Kevin, 16-year-old Monica and 18-year-old Pedro are still adjusting to life in Texas after relocating because of Hurricane Katrina. As if getting used to a new life in a new city wasn’t enough to deal with, after emergency Medicaid ended for evacuee families, Valencia found it difficult to access health care for the children, and they lost their coverage. It took more than a year for the coverage issues to be resolved.
During the year that the children were uninsured, they were in desperate need of help. Valencia thought that the children were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but without insurance she was unable to get them evaluated for counseling or treatment. Her oldest child, Pedro, suffered episodes of depression and dropped out of school because the stress was too much. Sixteen-year-old Monica also went without treatment for her sickle cell anemia. The situation was traumatic for Valencia, who is disabled and provides for her family on a fixed income. Finally, their coverage has been restored, and Valencia is able to get her children much needed health care.
Valencia expresses her frustration and confusion over her inability to access health care for her children.
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