Campaign Update
Friday, February 23, 2007

Inside This Issue:

Voice your Support for SCHIP Reauthorization TODAY!

Take Action! Take Action! Take Action! Take Action! Take Action! Take Action!

The National Governor's Association (NGA) convenes this Sunday to discuss state priorities, including children's health insurance. Take this opportunity to ask Governor Schwarzenegger to make sure the NGA delegates understand the funding needs of California's State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and suggest that they take a strong position on the issue.

Contact the Governor TODAY!

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
Email: http://www.govmail.ca.gov

Urge him to take the lead with other Governors and top Washington officials to:

• Ensure sufficient federal funds for children currently eligible for SCHIP (known as the Healthy Families Program in California) and any increases in enrollment;
• Maintain states' flexibility to expand children's health coverage to children in families with higher income levels using SCHIP funds (e.g., children in families with incomes up to 300% of FPL);
• Restore federal funding for legal immigrants (California currently covers these children without federal funding);
• Allow for enrollment simplifications. Federal flexibility could provide additional opportunities to make children's enrollment easier; and
• Not cut Medicaid. Any additional SCHIP funding should not be financed through federal cuts to Medicaid, which will simply shift the cost to states.

Background on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Ten years ago when Congress created SCHIP, California and other states responded with great success to the federal challenge to cover its uninsured children. Healthy Families and Medi-Cal now cover over 4 million children -- about one-third of the kids in our state. Federal SCHIP dollars fund approximately two-thirds of the Healthy Families program, and this influx of federal money is a substantial investment in our state and our children. Congress must reauthorize federal SCHIP funding this year, as the program reaches the end of its ten-year authorization period in October 2007.

The California HealthCare Foundation estimates that California will need $7 - $8 billion in federal SCHIP funding over the next 5 years to enroll children currently eligible for Healthy Families and an additional $700 million for expansions, such as those proposed in the Governor's and legislative leaders' health care reform plans. In short, the health insurance of roughly 1.5 million California children is at risk.

Please make your voice heard!
For more information, please contact Kelly Hardy, khardy@childrennow.org 510-763-2444 or Jenny Kattlove, jkattlove@childrenspartnership.org 206-812-1141.

Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines is co-hosting a "Business Health Care Summit" with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce on March 2nd from 10:00am - 2:00pm at the Fresno County Farm Bureau (1274 W Hedges Ave). The Summit will include discussions on health care basics and information about the various health care reform proposals in California. Make your views on children's coverage heard! Let business leaders know that covering all kids is not only the right thing to do, but more, it's the most efficient way to keep kids healthy. RSVP today to Chelsi Silva at Chelsi.Silva@asm.ca.gov, or call (559) 446-2029.

For talking points, contact Kelly Hardy, khardy@childrennow.org 510-763-2444 or Jenny Kattlove, jkattlove@childrenspartnership.org 206-812-1141.

The California legislature has begun to analyze the various health reform proposals of the Governor, the Speaker, and the Senate President Pro Tem to find the best way to insure all Californians this year, including the 763,000 children currently uninsured. On February 15th the Senate Health Committee (chaired by Senator Sheila Kuehl) held an informational hearing on the Governor's health reform proposal.

Additionally, on February 20th, the Assembly Health Committee (chaired by Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally) held the first of two informational hearings entitled "Health Care Reform: What Are The Choices?" The panel heard testimony on the health reform proposals of the Governor, the Speaker, the Senate President Pro Tem, and the Senate Republican leadership. The second Assembly Health Committee informational hearing is scheduled for February 27th in Capitol Room 4202 at 1:30pm, and is expected to focus on Senator Kuehl's proposal for a universal health care system. These hearings are open to the public and, if you are available, we encourage your attendance.

The 100% Campaign, a collaborative effort of Children Now, Children's Defense Fund and The Children's Partnership, was created to ensure that all of California's children obtain the health insurance they need to grow up strong and healthy.
www.100percentcampaign.org

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.
www.picocalifornia.org