Greetings Healthy Kids Action Network!

Now that the spring recess is over, Congress and the Michigan Legislature are back to work. After the passage of federal health care reform, Congress will be turning its attention to the economy. Important to children's health, is the temporary extension of the increased federal match for Medicaid, which was included in the Senate-passed jobs bill. We need to continue pressing our House members to take action.

Michigan legislators, on the other hand, are continuing their intense discussions on the fiscal year 2011 state budget. The DCH budget has passed the Senate and is now being considered by the House.

In this email, you will find information about a health care reform webinar hosted by Michigan's Children, information about a critical early childhood health program at risk for elimination, and the hearing schedule for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on DCH.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance.

Best,

Alicia S. Guevara
Policy & Outreach Associate

On April 29, 2010 at 2pm, Michigan's Children will host its first webinar, "What Does Health Care Reform Mean for Kids in Michigan?"

We will be joined by national experts to hear about the "wins" for children in health reform legislation and how the legislation will affect access and coverage for the currently 150,000 uninsured kids in Michigan, especially as Michigan experiences another difficult budget year with more cuts ahead.

You will also receive more detailed information about the home visitation funding and what this means for Michigan.

Space is limited! Please RSVP to me at alicia@michiganschildren.org.

Please continue to visit our health care reform page for an updated list of resources on the legislation.

Since 1999, the Michigan Child Care Enhancement Program (CCEP), formerly known as the Child Care Expulsion Project, has helped thousands of infants and toddlers at risk of being expelled from child care centers.

But Governor Granholm's budget proposal for fiscal year 2011 calls for the elimination of the program. The Senate-passed DCH budget also eliminates it.

An estimated 7,000 young children under age 5 are expelled from child care centers and preschools every year in Michigan. Forcing these children out of care at a young age, rather than addressing their underlying behavioral and mental health issues, only serves to prolong problems and will cost more in the long run.

Help protect funding for the CCEP by contacting your legislators. Click here to read more in our April 13 Action Alert, which includes a sample email for you to copy and send to your legislators.

Click here to read more about CCEP in our latest Issues for Michigan's Children, Investing in Early Childhood: A Case for the Child Care Enhancement Program Serving At-Risk Infants and Toddlers.

On March 24, 2010, the Senate passed its version of the fiscal year 2011 DCH budget. The budget is now being considered by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on DCH.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on DCH is scheduled to meet on:

Date: Monday, April 19th
Time: 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm
Location: Capitol - Room 352

Public testimony will be taken on Medicaid, Public Health, Health Policy, Regulation, and Professions, and Crime Victim Services.

Date: Monday, April 26th
Time: 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm
Location: Capitol - Room 352

Public testimony will be taken on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Office of Services to the Aging

We encourage you to participate in these hearings to have your voices heard!