A healthy America starts with healthy children. As Congress reforms our nation’s health care system, we urge them to acknowledge the unique health needs of
children by remembering to:

• Do No Harm to Children. Nearly one-third of our nation’s children get their health care through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Congress must protect and strengthen health coverage for these vulnerable children, not undermine it or increase costs.
• Protect Employer Coverage. Over one-half of America’s children have employer-sponsored insurance.Congress should reduce out-of-pocket costs for family and dependent coverage instead of disproportionately taxing those benefits.
• Insure All Children. Six million children are eligible but not enrolled in public health coverage. Eliminating red tape and bureaucracy by simplifying enrollment would be the cheapest, quickest, and smartest first step to get the lowest-income children covered.
• Cover Children from Head to Toe. All children need coverage for preventive care, as well as for their developmental, dental, and mental health care needs.

National Crisis Hits Home for North Carolina's Children

RALEIGH, N.C. - Action for Children North Carolina reports that the national housing crisis is negatively affecting North Carolina and profoundly impacting children's physical, academic and social development. Action for Children will release its latest data report, National Crisis Hits Home for North Carolina's Children, on Thursday.

Nearly 40,000 North Carolina children were directly impacted by foreclosure in 2008, which will leave a lasting effect on their futures. Children who don't have stable homes are more likely to struggle in school and more likely to drop out. The loss in housing value has a further negative impact on children's ability to receive a sound, basic education by diminishing the local property taxes that support schools.

In addition, the scarcity of rental housing and the high cost on North Carolina renters present a significant challenge for families needing to find a safe and stable home for their children.

"Stable homes, not disrupted by foreclosure or unaffordable rent, are critical to children's development. But in this recent housing crisis, far too many North Carolina children are seeing their futures mortgaged," says Barbara Bradley, President and CEO of Action for Children North Carolina. "Despite the daunting economic landscape, we have opportunities to make sure all our children are equipped with the resources they need."

By addressing the current economic crisis through a focus on its root causes, the lack of affordable housing and the spike in foreclosures, North Carolina policymakers can also stimulate the economy and mitigate the lasting negative impact that poor housing can have on children.

Economic Security Issue Brief

In order for North Carolina to overcome its current economic crisis and establish a stable and strong economy, students must be taught basic financial concepts. That is one of the key points in a report by Action for Children North Carolina that is titled Building the Financial Capability of North Carolina's Children and Families.

A combination of factors, including the availability and use of information, institutional and individual behavior and the broader economic and policy context, have been to blame for the recent economic downturn. Therefore, any approach to preparing young people to join the workforce must include a combination of information, experience and protection.

"While some schools, banks and other agencies provide financial education services in North Carolina, their efforts are not coordinated, universally available or easily accessible," says Barbara Bradley, President and CEO of Action for Children North Carolina. "The fact that North Carolina's children score below the national average in financial literacy, and their scores are declining, shows that more must be done."

Click here to download Building the Financial Capability of North Carolina's Children and Families.

Legislative Action for Children 

The 2009 Long Session opened on January 28th.

Resources for the 2009 Long Session:

• Click here to learn more about the continuum of children's services that would be decimated by the House budget. NEW! More about this domino effect from the Children and Family Services Association-N.C: The Big Picture and Dismantling Child Mental Health