Our legislative agenda for the 2008 Maryland General Assembly was to Cover All Kids-100%.  Of the 140,000 uninsured kids in Maryland, 90,000 are eligible for existing public programs but are not enrolled. During the 2008 General Assembly session the Coalition mobilized its 160,000 members and major women's organizations throughout the state to ensure that these children gain access to the comprehensive health care they deserve.

We also worked with legislators for passage of appropriate legislation. In particular, we supported legislation prepared by Delegate Heather Mizeur and supported by Delegate Peter Hammen, chair of the all-important House Health and Government Operations Committee.  With 1.5 hours to go in the session the Kids First legislation passed!

“Women in Maryland want children to grow up healthy. It's as simple as that. When we provide comprehensive health care to our kids we reduce childhood deaths, limit the spread of communicable diseases and promote essential primary and preventive care. Our Coalition believes that society has a moral obligation to protect some of the most vulnerable among us – our children.”

"As the wealthiest state in the nation, Maryland should be ashamed that it is home to nearly 150,000 uninsured children.  It's time we try every creative trick in the book to get all kids covered."

“We cannot wait. Every day Maryland's nurses see the distressing impact of a lack of access to health care on our most innocent residents – our children. MNA members will bring their experience and energies to Annapolis to ensure that every child in the state has the health care they need.”

• Maryland is the richest state in the nation, yet approximately 1.6 million people in our state are either uninsured or under-insured.
• Some 140,000 children in our state do not have access to the care they need to be healthy, happy and productive.
• Of these uninsured kids, some 90,000 children are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, public programs that would provide them with the care they need.
• The reasons for this include administrative obstacles and misunderstandings over the eligibility requirements for Medicaid and the Maryland Children's Health Insurance Program (MCHIP).
• Maryland lags behind other states in covering kids and is 8th lowest in the nation
• We need to make the system work for kids who have a right to care. To do that we must reduce the barriers that keep parents from enrolling their children.

Because it makes good sense:

• Americans guarantee a basic education to all our children. Shouldn't we do the same with health care for kids?
• Healthy children learn better and become more productive adults
• Providing health care to kids reduces infant mortality and childhood deaths
• Health care for all kids is a public health measure that limits the spread of communicable diseases, assures timely tests and vaccinations, promotes primary and preventive care, and provides vision and dental care to kids

Because it is economically sound :

• The costs of providing health care to kids is much lower than for adults, about $1,700 a child per year
• Public insurance for kids costs less than private plans
• Covering kids reduces long term health care costs to taxpayers
• Parental productivity increases and their levels of stress decline when kids are healthy - after all, no parent should have to decide between milk and medicine

Eligibility doesn't ensure enrollment and enrollment doesn't guarantee access and care. To examine and address the facts behind this problem, the Coalition has commissioned a White Paper on Covering All Kids. It will:

• Provide a picture of who the uninsured children in Maryland are,
• Include recommendations on how to reach and enroll them, and
• Examine revenue sources to boost enrollment and provide necessary health care

The Coalition worked with Delegate Peter Hammen, Chairman of the House Health and Government Operations Committee, Delegate Heather Mizeur and others to pass legislation in the 2008 Maryland General Assembly that will ensure that the state's children have the health care they deserve.

We need you to convince your legislators that coverage for all kids can't wait and that you want legislation passed. How can you do that? Become a Health Care Reformer!

• Stay informed – look for resources on children's health and updated information on our work at www.mdhealthcarereform.org
• Tell us your story.  Nothing has a greater impact than a first-hand account of how the lack of access to health care made a difference to you or someone you know.  Let us know if you will share your story with others with an email.
• Join our Member Action Teams – Legislators respond first to their own constituents. These teams in key legislative district will contact their legislators when they receive an alert from the Coalition. The teams will receive legislators' contact information and talking points for each letter, email, or phone call they are asked to make. Personalizing your letters is vital. Being an team member from your home or office is an easy way to help make health care reform happen in Maryland !

To join or learn more contact email our Vice Chair, Leni Preston at lenipreston@verizon.net