Why children all over your neighborhood need your help?

July 14, 2017

My family and I have been blessed with the opportunity to have health care coverage that includes an array of developmental screenings, diagnostic modalities, medicines and immunizations. Even with this coverage, we are always praying that they don’t catch any illness or that we are able to react fast to reduce any distress in their development, our daily routine or extracurricular activities.

Then, why do we defend Medicaid?

One key element in our kid’s well being is the environment in which they are developing in. We love the beautiful beaches, pools, parks, sport/recreational centers, A-rated schools and other options available in our community. One good thing they all have in common is that our children learn to share those same spaces with other kids living in the community. This stresses the importance of recognizing that the healthier all of our children are in our community, the better chance of avoiding the spread of disease and a better healthier future for all of us.

What’s going on?

New Plans involving federal changes to healthcare has become a political spotlight issue recently, considering serious financial threats to Medicaid that endanger the health of Florida’s children. There are plans to vote on these new changes, scheduled for next week. Let’s consider this:

4 million children in Florida relied on Medicaid and CHIP for basic health coverage.
Children make up 59.1% of Florida Medicaid population.
Florida will lose $1.57 in federal matching funds for every $1.00 in state money it cuts from its Medicaid budget.
Already, yearly average spend per Medicaid-eligible child in Florida is $1,880.00 compared to $3,978.00 per adult enroll.
Already, on national average, a pediatrician treating a child enrolled in Medicaid receives only 66% of what is paid to see Medicare (adults) enrollees for those same services. In Florida, many services can be even lower.
Approximately 20% of children have special health care needs, and 44% of them are covered by public insurance.
Studies has shown that children enrolled in Medicaid miss fewer school days, do better in school, are more likely to graduate and attend college, grow up healthier, earn higher wages and pay more taxes later-on.

Why do we need to stand up for children?

Many children depend on Medicaid to live well and our community depends on Medicaid so that they can ensure that every child has access to the care they need, regardless of income. This is a win-win for our own families and the future of our little ones and their friends. Unfortunately, without appropriate coverage, fewer physicians may be able to participate in Medicaid, limiting the number of pediatricians and specialists, increasing wait times for appointments or forcing families to travel long distances just to seek care.

To this day even in a highly politicized industry like HealthCare, I have never supported or expressed rejection publicly towards any politician or political change, but what is at stake now is too important to ignore. Our children can’t defend themselves from political changes that can affect them. It is up to us to express on their behalf, as a strong voice defending their rights.

What can I do?

It is the first time all top doctors’ associations (American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, American Osteopathic Association, American Psychiatric Association) who represent half a million doctors in the United States that deliver primary care, have rallied for a specific policy cause along with other 400 associations statewide. But, we all need your help! Please, convey your opinion or concern, whatever it is, to your state representative. Here is how:

Send an E-Mail – To send an e-mail to your Senator, simply go to www.senate.gov, and click on “Contacting the Senate”. To send an e-mail to your Representative, go to www.house.gov, and click on “Write Your Representative”. These links will help you look for your Member of Congress. Unfortunately, not all members of congress lists their e-mail addresses.

Here is What You Can Say

Make a Phone Call – Dial the Capitol Switchboard and ask to be transfer to your Senators/Congressman’s office. Contact the Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Write a Letter – Sample Letters can be found all over the internet. Visit the Speak Now for Kids website to enter your information and send the prewritten letter. You can also personalize the letter to share why protecting Medicaid coverage, access to care and funding for children’s health is important to you.

To Senators, send them to:

The Honorable (name of senator)
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

To Representatives, send it to:

The Honorable (name of Representative)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Share with others – Any action from you, even as small as it looks, will help to create pressure in Washington to share their plans and consider our opinion. Hit Like, or Share with others. Equally, if you have a different opinion on reducing Medicaid health coverage for kids, express your thoughts to help start the conversation.