Health care reform has been at the forefront of the
national debate, and the public reaction to pending
reform legislation has intensified. It is critical to the
future of Michigan and the country that all children are
covered; have access to high-quality, affordable health
care; and, are not worse off as a result of reform.
On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives
took an historical vote to pass health reform
legislation, the Affordable Health Care for America Act
of 2009 (H.R. 3962), which makes significant changes
to improve care for children and families. However, it
eliminates CHIP--better known as MIChild in Michigan-
-and moves children into an untested, new Exchange,
which is of particular concern.
The Senate is currently debating its version of health
reform legislation, the Patient Protection and
Affordable Health Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 3590). It also
makes expansions for children and families, but it
maintains CHIP through 2019--although without fully
funding it. Senator Bob Casey (D - PA) has introduced
an amendment that would fund CHIP through 2019
and provide for other changes to strengthen CHIP
coverage and protect these children.
Now is the time to contact your members of
Congress. Ask that they support health care reform--
thank those in the House who voted in support of the
legislation--and ask Senators Levin and Stabenow to
support the Casey CHIP amendment. Find out more
in our December 1 Action Alert.
Visit our Health Care Reform
website for our position and additional resources.
