Campaign Update
Wednesday, August 29, 2007

California Families, Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Pass Health Care Reform
That Includes Kids Coverage

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."

For the complete press release, click here.

The 100% Campaign, a collaborative effort of The Children's Partnership, Children Now and Children's Defense Fund, 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