Now, for the first time in a generation, Congress has a chance to enact for meaningful health reform. In the current debate, we must ensure that children's needs are addressed:

Guarantee affordable, accessible, comprehensive and continuous health care from birth to age 21.

Do no harm. Health reform should keep the protections and services already in place for children, because the last thing reform should do is risk putting kids in worse care.

Don't treat children like small adults. We must have more age-appropriate care that devotes attention to a child's development needs, like mental, dental and behavioral health issues, modeled after Medicaid's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment service.

Prevent disease to promote health. Invest in community-based, preventive health efforts, so we can work on wellness outside the doctor's office.

Voices releases statement on the Senate health bill praising negotiation efforts on the most comprehensive health reform in decades.  Read Voices' statement on the Senate health bill.

Voices endorses an amendment to the Senate health bill that would protect coverage for millions of vulnerable children. The amendment, submitted by Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA), would bolster the popular Children's Health Insurance Program, which has helped reduce the number of uninsured children by millions, even in a time of economic crisis. Read Voices' endorsement of the Casey amendment.

The Senate health reform bill analyzed. Voices chief health policy watcher briefly explains where the Senate health bill helps children, and how it could be improved.

Voices writes to Congress on the House health bill. Voices congratulates the House on making the most significant progress on health reform in 40 years. But Voices continues to urge Congress to consider extending the basic care for the most vulnerable children provided by the Children's Health Insurance Program. Click to read Voices' letter to Congress on the House health bill.

The House health reform bill passes. The bill would help children by expanding Medicaid, outlining an essential benefit insurance package, funding new wellness programs and other vital reforms, but would do away with the successful Children's Health Insurance Program. Click to read Voices' response to the House health bill.

10/21 - A letter to the Senate. Voices for America's Children and several other prominent child health organizations co-write a letter to Senate leadership on provisions that must be included in the merged Senate health legislation.

10/20 - Voices for America's Children joins a national call-in day. Click to see our goals for the call.

Finance Committee passes health bill. The Baucus bill has cleared committee but, like the others, it fails to cover all kids. Read Voices' statement.

Congressional Budget Office prices out Baucus health reform bill. Read the Voices for America's Children analysis and breakdown in a recent edition of Speaking Out!