|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
For Media Assistance
Survey shows overwhelming support for
plan to cover all kids; Chan and Escutia bill is vehicle
for achieving these goals
SACRAMENTO, CA--Leaders of a campaign to
insure the health of all California children hailed the results
of a new public opinion survey released today by The California
Endowment, showing that four out of five California voters
support a plan to expand health insurance coverage to all
California children. This support cuts across party lines
and is strong throughout the state, with nine out of ten
voters stating that "children not having health insurance"
is a grave concern.
"From all corners of the state and across the political
spectrum, Californians strongly support covering all kids
with health insurance," said Deena Lahn of the Children's
Defense Fund and the 100% Campaign: Health Insurance for
Every California Child, which seeks to ensure that all California
children have the coverage they need to grow up healthy and
strong.
The survey's release demonstrates strong public support for
the goals of legislation to provide access to health insurance
for all children in the state. Sponsored by the 100% Campaign
and PICO California Project, SB 437 / AB 772, by Senator Martha
Escutia (D-Norwalk) and Assemblymember Wilma Chan (D-Oakland),
provides a vehicle to cover all uninsured children. Bill specifics
will be released in the coming weeks.
The legislation complements the work of Californians for Healthy
Kids, an unprecedented bipartisan network of teachers, business
leaders, parents, health care providers, faith leaders, labor
representatives, and children's advocates focused on insuring
every child in California.
"This survey shows that Californians believe we can finish
the job of covering all our children," said Jim Keddy,
Director of the PICO California Project and cofounder of Californians
for Healthy Kids. "Since 90% of California children
are already insured, there are concrete, feasible steps we
can take to reach 100%."
The survey found that 73% of voters approve of a "shared
solution" with contributions from parents, employers,
and the government -- the solution proposed by the Californians
for Healthy Kids. "Californians understand that we are
within reach of our goal of covering every child" said
Wendy Lazarus, co-president of the Children's Partnership
and of the 100% Campaign. "The majority of the financing
needed to achieve this goal is already available through
a partnership using federal funds, family contributions,
and existing state investments in coverage for uninsured
children."
"In his recent budget message, Governor Schwarzenegger
stated that budget decisions 'further reflect progress toward
[my] goal that all of California's children have health insurance,'"
said Children Now President Ted Lempert. "We look forward
to working with him to reach the goal that both he and the
overwhelming majority of California voters share."
The 100% Campaign, a collaborative
effort of Children Now, Children's Defense Fund
and The Children's Partnership, with primary funding
from The California Endowment, was created to ensure
that all of California's children obtain the health
coverage they need to grow up strong and healthy.
The PICO California Project
is the united effort of 20 California congregation-community
organizations affiliated with the PICO National
Network. Collectively, we represent 350 congregations
and 400,000 families statewide and are actively
organizing in over 70 cities in Northern and
Southern California.
|
