Connect for Kids / Child Advocacy 360 / Youth Policy Action Center - Healthcare Services

Health Care for America Now Campaign

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:29:20 -0500

On July 8, 2008, a broad coalition of child- and youth-focused organizations kicked off this national grassroots campaign promoting access to affordable, quality health care for all. Events took place in 52 cities, including 38 state capitals, and a launch is planned for Washington, DC.

SCHIP - State Child Health Insurance: 10 Years in the Making

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:47:52 -0500

CFK Reports From: Senate Subcommittee Hears Testimony About SCHIP Reauthorization
Event: Hearing
Organized By: Senate Finance Subcommittee on Healthcare
When: July 25, 2006

The Senate Finance Subcommittee on Healthcare met to discuss the future reauthorization of the State Child Health Insurance program (SCHIP).

Cover the Uninsured Week

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 11:56:34 -0500

Start: May 1 2006 - 12:00am

End: May 7 2006 - 11:59pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT+5

May 1 - 7 is Cover the Uninsured Week.

Community Health Workers: Closing Gaps in Families' Health Resources

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:46:00 -0500

Community health workers can help families overcome barriers to accessing health care in their communities and in their language. For many low-income families with children, community health workers are the front-line of health care. This new policy brief from the National Assembly's Family Strengthening Policy Center includes case studies, resources, and policy recommendations to apply the lessons learned so far.

Rising Out-of-Pocket Spending for Medical Care: A Growing Strain on Family Budgets

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:45:03 -0500

As of March 2006, an average of 18 million U.S. families a year face out-of-pocket medical care costs that strain their budgets (and qualified as "high" relative to their income). These families are more likely than others to have trouble getting needed care and paying for it. The share of families struggling under the burden of these costs is up from 1996—and according to this Commonwealth Fund report, more families are likely to spend a larger share of their budgets on health care in the coming years.

Making Public Programs Work for Communities of Color: An Action Kit

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:44:08 -0500

People of color comprise one-third of the U.S. population. These Americans are less likely to have health insurance, a medial "home," and access to preventive care and routine services. Families USA created this action kit to give community leaders information, tools, and resources for health advocacy in their communities.

Medicaid and the 2006 Federal Budget Bill

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:34:14 -0500

The 2006 federal budget, passed in February 2006, includes net cuts to Medicaid of $4.8 billion over the next five years and $26.1 billion over the next ten years. This six-page Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured brief looks at what areas of Medicaid will be cut and how families and states may be affected—including the introduction of co-payments and cost-sharing for low-wage families.

Making Early Developmental Screenings Routine

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:43:15 -0500

The more researchers learn about diagnosing and treating developmental delays and disabilities, the clearer the message becomes: the earlier the better. In Los Angeles, dozens of agencies are working together to encourage parents and caregivers to use simple observational tools to screen young children—and get them services when needed. Amy Coutee reports on the L.A. County Early Identification and Intervention Group.

Updated Primer on the Uninsured (2006)

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 08:31:18 -0600

More than 45 million people under age 65 lack health care coverage—but these individuals still need to take care of basic health needs for themselves and their families, and access medical care. How do they do it? This primer from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured looks at these issues, and the reasons behind recent changes in the number of uninsured Americans, and options for expanding coverage.

School Mental Health Services in the United States 2002 - 2003

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:40:47 -0500

Increasingly, K-12 students can access mental health help in the place where they spend a lot of their time: school. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one-fifth of U.S.

Approaches to Nutrition Standards for Food in Schools

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 12:11:11 -0600

Start: Dec 5 2005 - 1:00pm

End: Dec 5 2005 - 5:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT+4

The Institute of Medicine Committee on Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools hosts an open session in Washington, D.C.

Still Going Strong: Head Start Children, Families, Staff, and Programs in 2004

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:38:24 -0500

As Congress considers legislation to reauthorize the federal Head Start program, this policy brief examines the latest data from the Program Information Reports that all Head Start grantees must submit to the U.S. Department of Health. In 2004, Head Start continued to provide early education services and medical, dental, and mental health screenings for poor children, as well as comprehensive supports for families. The number of teachers with degrees grew substantially in 2004—65 percent of teachers had an Associate's Degree or higher. Less than half of eligible children, however, receive Head Start services.

Health in the States: Illinois Expands Children's Health Insurance

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:37:33 -0500

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has signed new legislation offering children's health coverage on a sliding scale -- a move that has put the state on the map for making children's health insurance affordable for the broadest population.

A Look at State Fiscal Conditions and Medicaid

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:36:32 -0500

Medicaid is the largest public health insurance program for children. This new fact sheet from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured summarizes the relationship of Medicaid with state budgets and provides an update about the fiscal situation in the states and how it is affecting Medicaid programs.

SCHIP Gets Good Marks in Report to Congress

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:32:10 -0500

Mathematica gives good marks in its report to Congress on the State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIPs) that offer health care coverage to children in families with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level and beyond. In almost all areas examined—outreach, enrollment and access to services—the programs are succeeding. In the 10 states studied, programs were put in place quickly, and overall, families were satisfied with the ease of enrolling children, many of whom remained enrolled for 12 months, depending on the state.