WE ENVISION A STATE AND NATION WHERE WE ALL HAVE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, COMPREHENSIVE AND HIGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE.
 

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2008 PRIORITY:  COVER MARYLAND'S CHILDREN
 

Women, working together will make Maryland a national leader - with health care that is always there for everyone!
Be A Health Care Reformer – Join Us Now!

 

You did it! With just one and half hours to go in the 2008 Maryland General Assembly session, the Kids First Act passed and is on its way to the Governor for his signature.

 

This important legislation means that the 90,000 children in our state who are eligible for public programs (Medicaid or Maryland Children's Health Program – MCHP) but not now enrolled will have a better chance of getting access to the health coverage they need.

 

The Kids First Act, HB 1391, was sponsored by Delegate Heather Mizeur (District 20). Its key elements are:

  • A check off box on state income tax forms where families may indicate if they have health insurance for their children. Based on the information gathered,
  • The distribution of applications and enrollment instructions on Medicaid and the Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP) to eligible families.
  • An annual study by the Comptroller's Office and the Maryland Health Care Commission on the status of the outreach effort.
  • Study with recommendations to increase the availability and affordability of health care coverage for children with family income that exceeds 300% of the federal poverty level.

To those who worked to put Maryland 's children first we thank you, particularly, Delegates Peter A. Hammen and Heather Mizeur of the House Health and Government Operations Committee and Senators Thomas M. Middleton and Rob Garagiola of the Senate Finance Committee.

 
The Democratic Leadership Forum (DLC) awarded Delegate Healther Mizeur its "New Dem of the Week" award for her innovative approach to getting kids covered in HB 1391, Kids First Act.
 
FIRST LEADERSHIP FORUM

On Sunday, February 24th more than 70 dedicated health care reformers convened at the Coalition's Leadership Forum. Speakers included Anne Kasper, Chair, Delegate Healther Mizeur and Dr. Susan Wood, former Assistant Commissioner for Women's health and Director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women's Health.

 

Our Cover all Kids buttons were distributed at the Forum and are available for a $1.50 donation by email. Get several. Give to your friends and colleagues to spark interest and discussion of this very important effort.

 
COVER ALL KIDS - 100%

The Maryland Women's Coalition for Health Care Reform has launched its Cover All Kids Campaign. As the richest state in the nation, Maryland should ensure that our most vulnerable - children - have this basic human right.

Learn more about the current state of uninsured kids in Maryland, why we should cover all kids, how we can pay for it and how you can help.

 
MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Our Legislative Goal for 2008.  Work with our legislators to enroll the 90,000 kids eligible but not yet enrolled in public programs. We will support legislation that reduces barriers to enrollment, simplifies and speeds enrollment, keeps kids enrolled, and assures them access to providers of health care services. Learn more about our 2008 goal.

You can help these 90,000 kids. Convince your legislators that coverage for all kids can't wait and that you want legislation passed in 2008. When we send Alerts write to your legislators and visit them in Annapolis, if possible. Legislators pay attention to their constituents. An email or letter can make a big difference!

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

You are key to our success.  Please join our organization and sign up for our free email newsletters and alerts so you will get the news as soon as it is available.

 
Details about the General Assembly.
Scheduled hearing dates of the General Assembly. 
2008 Calendar
for the General Assembly.
 
 
Events  more
Black Women Health Conference June 20 Conference 9 am. -5:30 p.m. Register
 
News You Can Use more
Reform Matters: Making Real Progress for Women and Health Care Project of the National Women's Law Center
 
Seven Reasons Why Health Care Reform is a Women's Issue 2008. Susan Sered
 
Graduating? Heed Health Care Insurance? Maryland's Got you Covered April, 2008. Health Care For All! flyer
 
Maryland Hit By Physician Shortage Jan 7, 2008. MD State Medical Society
 
10 Things to Know about Health, Unnatural Causes PBS miniseries, April, 2008
 
Americans Rank Health Care Near the Top of Their Economic Woes, April 29, 2008. New Poll Finds, Kaiser Family Foundation
 
US Women's Life Expectancy Goes Down, PLOS Medicine Journal, April, 2008. NY Times article.
 
Individuals Pay Health Care Costs, Not Employers and Government, Chicago Tribune, Mar.27, 2008
 
Support for National Health Insurance Among U.S. Physicians, 5 Years Later, Mar. 31, 2008
 
Cost of Failure: The Economic Losses of the Uninsured, New American Foundation, Mar. 25, 2008
 
Washington Post Columnist Examines Effects of Growing Uninsured Population, Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, Mar. 17, 2008
 
Video illustrates the poor state of dental care for Medicaid patients in MD
 
Basics for Reform more
MD Current Coverage
 
Contribute personal stories for an anthology on the current health care system
 
Kaiser Family Foundation
The Uninsured and Their Access to Health Care
Updated Fact Sheets on Women's Health Insurance Coverage
 
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Several useful advocacy resources on covering the uninsured
 
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
The current tax and the rankings of all states showing Maryland is 22nd.
 
Detailed tobacco tax analysis