FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
For Media Assistance

California Families, Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Pass Health Care Reform That Includes Kids Coverage
Families, Advocates Joined by Governor, Senate President pro Tempore, Assembly Speaker in Call for Action this Year

SACRAMENTO, CA--California's children's advocates, local Children's Health Initiatives, parents, pediatricians, community and faith leaders called upon lawmakers today to pass meaningful health care reform this year that includes health care coverage for all of California's children. The group of children's advocates were joined by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata, and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez in calling for action this year.

"The time has come to pass comprehensive health reform that includes all kids," said Ted Lempert, president of Children Now. "California's hard working families shouldn't have to rely upon emergency rooms to get health care services."

According to recent surveys, about 10 percent of California's children, or almost 800,000 kids, remain uninsured. The vast majority of those uninsured children, nearly 90 percent, come from families where at least one parent works either full or part-time.

"This is a critical time for kids' coverage," said Wendy Lazarus, Founder and Co-President, The Children's Partnership. "If we don't pass health insurance for children at the state level this year, children across our state will start losing coverage."

Children with health insurance are more likely to get the care they need to ensure healthy development, including preventive care, immunizations and basic check-ups with primary care physicians – all of which helps identify or prevent problems before they get serious and more costly. Without health insurance, children use the emergency room as a last resort, the most expensive and least effective way to provide health care.

"Too many families work hard, play by the rules and still can't afford health insurance," said Veronica Carbajal, from Sacramento, California. "It's time that California's leaders step up and find a way to cover all of California's kids."

"In order for children to grow up strong, and to fulfill their God-given potential, we must move to bring health care to all children," said Bishop Roy Dixon, PICO National Network.

Recent surveys have found that voters overwhelmingly support kids' coverage. A survey conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner last month found that a whopping eighty-two percent of voters support making sure all children in California have health insurance. The same survey found that more than three-quarters of voters believe the goal of covering all kids is both "realistic and doable" and affordable, even after being informed of the potential costs.

"There is no doubt that Californians overwhelmingly support insuring all of our kids," concluded Jocelyne Costello from Solano County. "We are here today to personally deliver that message to our elected leaders. If voters support it and families with children need it, there's no reason to delay."

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.