Kerry's 'Kids Come First Act' - S. 114

[Sapphire Blue]

If you haven't already, please sign on as a citizen co-sponsor of S. 114 - Kids Come First Act.

http://www.johnkerry.com/kidsfirst



Excerpt from a Kerry email (03-09-05)


In the next 30 days, we've got to persuade the U.S. Senate to take the next critical step in winning health care coverage for every American child.

Today, I am joining leaders from a wide range of organizations representing millions of American families in issuing a simple call to action. If we want our Kids First Act to move forward, we need hearings scheduled in the Senate Finance Committee. So our powerful coalition is kicking off a month-long campaign to press for a firm date this spring for hearings on our Kids First Act.

Millions of families wake up every day to the stark reality of knowing their children have no health insurance. Surely, the Senate can wake up one day this spring and devote a few hours to hearing their stories.

Our Kids First momentum is building every day. Organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the March of Dimes, Every Child Matters, and the AFL-CIO have endorsed our Kids First Act. And over 500,000 people have signed on as citizen co-sponsors of our bill. The best way to make Washington listen is to put that total over one million in the next 30 days

<snip>

I want you to hear some of the messages yourself. Click on our Kids First map and listen to what people from your state have to say.

http://www.johnkerry.com/map

[cestpaspossible]

1. If your Senator is on the finance committee

please ask him or her to press for a hearing on the bill.


Finance Committee members:

Democrats:
MAX BAUCUS, MT
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, WV
KENT CONRAD, ND
JAMES M. JEFFORDS, VT
JEFF BINGAMAN, NM
JOHN F. KERRY, MA (I guess he's already on board, lol)
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, AR
RON WYDEN, OR
CHARLES E. SCHUMER, NY

Republicans:
CHARLES GRASSLEY, IA
ORRIN G. HATCH, UT
TRENT LOTT, MS
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, ME
JON KYL, AZ
CRAIG THOMAS, WY
RICK SANTORUM, PA
BILL FRIST, TN
GORDON SMITH, OR
JIM BUNNING, KY
MIKE CRAPO, ID

[LittleClarkie]

2. Yea! Help Kerry's Kids!

Errr... maybe I'd better come up with a different rallying cry.

[GetTheRightVote]

3. I attended the event held by Kerry & it was very moving

:kick:

[Sapphire Blue]

4. Every Child Matters

Vote Kids is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization devoted to making children a political priority in American politics, not a political afterthought, and hold Congress accountable to the needs of America's children by mobilizing voters, running campaigns spotlighting the voting records of selected legislators, promoting children and family issues, and creating a database of voters with a strong interest in voting for children.

http://votekids.everychildmatters.org

[Sapphire Blue]

5. ^ For the kids

[marcologico]

6. thanks for the links! (n/t)

[ck4829]

7. Thank you John Kerry

The Real President of the United States

[Sapphire Blue]

8. John Kerry - The presidential candidate who kept his campaign promise

... to fight for health care for every child, is now doing so from the Senate, instead of the Oval Office. (sigh)

He introduced his 'Kids First' legislation to supporters on November 19, and is moving forward determinedly with his convictions. He deserves widespread support for this bill.

Wonder if the 'right-to-lifers' (both in the Senate and in the citizenry) are co-sponsoring this important legislation for our kids?

[kerrygoddess]

9. Make Washington Listen to the Needs of Our Kids

Make Washington Listen to the Needs of Our Kids
9 March 2005

Today, John Kerry held a press conference to kick off a month long campaign to push the Senate Finance Committee for hearings on the Kids First Act. After his press conference, Kerry sent out an email to his 3 million strong email list, urging his supporters to continue to press their Senators to support Kids First.

More & Links to take action on this - http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=503

[Sapphire Blue]

10. Statement by Edward J. McElroy, President, American Federation of Teachers

... Supporting 'Kids First Act of 2005'

WASHINGTON, March 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a statement by Edward J. McElroy, President, American Federation of Teachers, Supporting "Kids First Act of 2005":

Sen. John Kerry's KidsFirst legislation creates a true federal-state partnership to provide healthcare coverage for disadvantaged children, a much-needed remedy at a time when as many as 67 percent of uninsured children eligible for Medicaid or their State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) are denied coverage. It also addresses the reality that states are struggling to fund healthcare for our youngest and most vulnerable citizens as the Bush administration is threatening to cut Medicaid assistance to states.

KidsFirst would create an affordable, reliable and comprehensive system of care for all children that would be paid for by eliminating the excessive tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent of Americans. Early estimates show that KidsFirst would save states $6 billion annually and would expand healthcare coverage for over 11 million more children and young adults up to 21 years old. This legislation would go a long way in supporting states' ability to provide adequate healthcare, which in turn will reap lasting, positive economic and social benefits for their citizens.

The AFT urges Sen. Charles Grassley (R- Iowa), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, to hold congressional hearings on this important bill.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=44128

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11. American Public Health Association Supports KidsFirst Act of 2005

... to Ensure Health Care Coverage for Uninsured Children


WASHINGTON, March 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is a statement by Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, executive director, American Public Health Association, on the KidsFirst Act of 2005:

"The American Public Health Association strongly supports the KidsFirst Act as a comprehensive approach to protect the health of children who are otherwise uninsured and do not have access to essential health services, such as medical care for acute and chronic illnesses and immunizations. We must remove the financial barriers that discourage states and parents from providing health coverage for children, and we must ensure that all children, especially the millions who live in poverty, are not forced to sacrifice the health care they need to become healthy adults.

"It is estimated that 11 million children are currently uninsured, and thousands of children are no longer enrolled in health coverage provided by the State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid due to state funding shortfalls. If enacted into law, this legislation would enable states to provide coverage to underinsured children, children of state employees and legal immigrant children. It is unacceptable that some parents must weigh the cost of medical treatment against other household necessities when considering taking their children to doctors.

"I would like to commend Senator John Kerry for introducing this initiative and for his leadership in protecting the health of our nation's children."

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=44121

[flpoljunkie]

12. Thanks.Everyone on JK's email list needs to sign this now to show support.

[Sapphire Blue]

13. Please contact your Senators

... and encourage them to support S. 114.

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm


Let's give them the message that every child matters.

Thanks!