May 4, 2017
Today is a truly sad day for millions of vulnerable children and the advocates who fight for them, but sadness must quickly yield to action and Children’s Rights is ready to act.
By a 217-213 vote, the House of Representatives approved a bill that would slash approximately $840 billion from the Medicaid budget and likely cut off coverage for approximately 14 million of our sickest and most vulnerable citizens. New federal funding caps will lead states to ration care and pit poor kids against the disabled, seniors, and even their parents for a slice of the limited funding pie. Critical health benefits such as newborn services, pediatric services, mental health services and therapeutic services for kids with special needs are all on the chopping block.
There’s no sugar-coating it: 217 legislators turned their backs on our neediest children and families today. But the fight is not over. Not in the Senate and not in the courts. And Children’s Rights stands ready to fight for children so that they all receive the health care they need, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. No children in the United States should be denied necessary medical treatment because they are poor.
It’s time to act. Support our “Healthy Kids” campaign today. Millions of kids are depending on us . . . and you.