Health Coalition for Children and Youth

2010 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

As we approach our goal of Covering All Kids by 2010, the Health Coalition for Children and Youth prioritizes efforts that maintain our investments and allow us to build upon the leadership exhibited by our state leaders.

KEEP THE PROMISE: COVER ALL KIDS IN 2010

Continued support for Apple Health for Kids is the surest way for all children to have access to affordable, comprehensive coverage that meets their unique health care needs. We must focus on efforts that make Apple Health for Kids available to every eligible child, including through outreach and administrative improvements.

Ask: We urge the Legislature to support efforts that sustain our success in Apple Health for Kids.

MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF APPLE HEALTH FOR KIDS

The Legislature has repeatedly expressed its commitment to Apple Health for Kids as a single, coherent program for all children. Inherent in that vision is the provision of uniformly comprehensive coverage, a medical home for each child, fair reimbursement rates for providers, and the linkage of provider payment to health outcomes to assure that coverage actually results in improvements in the health of our State’s children.

Ask: We urge the Legislature to protect Apple Health for Kids in its entirety.

TAP NEW REVENUE SOURCES TO MEET THE GOALS

By making the necessary investments to realize the full potential of the Apple Health program, our State will avoid future costs and improve lives. We believe that it is appropriate to explore new revenue options to support Apple Health and other critical public health programs.

Ask: We urge the Legislature to consider new revenue sources that can be used to support and maintain the vital public health programs.

ADD BACK THE MOST ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS CUT IN 2009

Decreased payment to doctors affects access to care adversely which undermines our commitment to preventive and primary care obtained in a medical home.Cuts to Medicaid benefits, family planning services and Basic Health are depriving families of essential health services. Families’ access to care is also harmed through rate cuts to health providers which threaten to undermine our commitment to preventative and primary care obtained through a medical home.

Ask: We urge the Legislature to support add back of essential health programs.