Public Employee Press

Heat activists campaign for children’s health care

The union’s Health Education Activist Team organized members at HHC facilities throughout the city this summer for the intensifying battle to protect and increase funding for children’s health care.

At stake is the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as S-CHIP. The program is a partnership between the federal government and the states and is designed to provide health insurance coverage for low-income children under 19 who are not eligible for Medicaid. With bipartisan support, Gov. Eliot Spitzer has proposed legislation to expand the program to include more children who come from families with incomes of up to 400 percent of the poverty level.

But in Washington, President Bush is aiming to enact federal rules that would cut off funds to any state program that expands eligibility to families with incomes over 200 percent of the poverty line. The federal poverty level for a family of three is currently $17,170.

“No child should lose health coverage because of a shortage of federal funds,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “Congress must ensure that there is enough money to at least cover the children who are already eligible for Medicaid or S-CHIP.”

HEAT activists launched a telephone campaign to urge New York’s U.S. senators, Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer, to support the expansion of S-CHIP. The state will need $35 billion dollars in new funds over the next five years to expand the program and make sure that those currently enrolled maintain their eligibility.

Join the HEAT
During the fall, HEAT activists will be going out to the HHC community-based clinics to conduct training sessions for members and to get the word out about the importance of supporting universal health coverage.

To join the HEAT activist team, callDC 37’s Moira Dolan at 212-815-1470.

The HEAT team is asking all members to call Sens. Clinton and Schumer and members of Congress at 800-828-0498 and demand that they support adequate funding for children’s health needs.