EDUCATE - Advocacy Issues and Campaigns

Children First/CIS principles for children in health insurance reform

Congress faces an historic opportunity to pass health care reform legislation in 2009 that can usher in a new era of health and well-being. As an organization, we will be following the health debate and measuring the proposals against the following principles:

• Do no harm to children. Health reform should not turn back the clock on the progress our nation has achieved for children's health coverage. Nearly one-third of our nation's children get their health care through Medicaid and CHIP. Before making any changes to these successful programs, Congress should make sure that vulnerable children don't fall through the cracks during the transition phase and should ensure that children receive comparable benefits at an affordable price under any new program.
• Affordable coverage for all children and pregnant women. Six million of the nation’s nine million uninsured children are eligible but not enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Eliminating red tape and bureaucracy by simplifying enrollment would be the cheapest, quickest and smartest first step to get most of our children covered. Parents should have hassle-free ways to sign their children up for insurance.
• Cover children from head to toe. All children need comprehensive coverage that meets their unique developmental needs, and provides them with the preventive services, medical care, and oral and mental health benefits needed to launch them on a better trajectory in life.
• Simple enrollment and recertification. As stated above, we cannot bureaucratic requirements become a barrier for participation. Ease of use will be key.
• Ensure real access to services. Too many children in our community that are currently participating in Medicaid or NC Health Choice must drive to neighboring cities to find specialty providers or dentists to accept their insurance. Reimbursement rates must be set that will create real access.
   

Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County
2009 NC Legislative Agenda - Final Report

The 2009 NC General Assembly faced an historic budget shortfall of over $4 billion amidst an economic recession, rising unemployment, and increased needs for human services, education, and health funding.  Our 2009 agenda was anchored in our values and principles and represents priority issues.

2009 State Legislative Priorities

Strengthen the economic security of NC families: Paid Sick Days H 177 (S 534) Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act did have a hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee, but no further action. NC EITC maintained at 5%, but no increase.

Increase the child care reimbursement rate and availability of subsidies: Reimbursement rate and subsidy held steady, but the state is using federal stimulus funds to replace the state dollars. These funds will only last two years. Regulations for subsidy eligibility were expanded to serve unemployed families.

Support funding for Communities In Schools NC: Funding reduced to $160,750.

Ensure that the state fully implements the NC Kids Care: Not implemented, though Health Choice received a $17 million increase in 2009-10 and $21 million in 2010-11. This will allow growth of 7% in 2009-10, or about 9,000 children. This is a major success in the current budget climate.

Raise the age of adult sentencing from 16 to 18: H 1414 introduced to raise the age by 2011 but was not passed. However, the task force portion of the bill was included in the budget as a special provision. The task force, which will create an implementation plan for moving youth from the adult system to the juvenile system, must begin meeting by November 1, 2009.

Other bills Children First/CIS supported:

H 88 Healthy Youth Act (Sponsored by Rep. Fisher): Passed and signed by Governor.

H 2 Prohibit Smoking in Public and Work Places (Cosponsored by Rep. Fisher and Rep. Goforth): Passed and signed by Governor.

H 548/S 526 School Violence Prevention Act (Sponsored by Rep. Fisher, cosponsored by Rep. Whilden) Passed and signed by Governor.

H 817/S 1019 Establish Financial Literacy Council (Cosponsored by Rep. Fisher) Passed and signed by Governor.

Bills Children First/CIS opposed:

S 155 Community Colleges can’t Admit Illegal Aliens. Didn’t meet crossover so it is dead.