News

This afternoon, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced that the House of Representatives would not put to a vote the American Health Care Act, H.R. 1648, legislation that would have repealed the Affordable Care Act and fundamentally restructured the Medicaid program. This news is a relief for the 37 million children and their families who rely on Medicaid for their health coverage as well as the other vulnerable populations whose care would have been cut if the House bill was approved. In response, First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley issued the following statement:“We applaud those Members of Congress who...

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Earlier this afternoon, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced a delay in the vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) (H.R. 1648) when it became apparent the bill did not have sufficient votes to secure its passage tonight. As drafted, the AHCA would repeal the Affordable Care Act and fundamentally restructure the Medicaid program, jeopardizing coverage for millions of children and families. In response, First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley issued the following statement.“Families across the United States are breathing a sigh of relief with the announcement of the delay in the vote on the AHCA....

American Health Care Act would jeopardize care for children and familiesWashington, DC—The American Academy of Pediatrics, Children’s Defense Fund, Children’s Dental Health Project, Family Voices, First Focus Campaign for Children, March of Dimes and National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners issue the following joint statement opposing the American Health Care Act’s (AHCA) drastic changes to Medicaid and their detrimental impact on children and families:“Our organizations represent children, pregnant women, families, children’s health care providers, hospitals and advocates across the country, and we speak with one voice today to urge the U.S. House of Representatives to keep Medicaid strong...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 14, 2017(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –  The Homeless Children and Youth Act today was reintroduced in Congress, signaling a commitment by policymakers to prioritize the well-being of more than 1.2 million homeless children and  youth in the United States.The bipartisan legislation is sponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Steve Stivers (R-Ohio-15) and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa-2nd) would re-tool federal homeless assistance delivered by HUD to allow communities to effectively use federal funding to meet the unique developmental needs of children, youth and families.Specifically, it would...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2017(Washington, D.C.) – In response to the release of the American Health Care Act by Republican leadership in the House of Representatives last evening, a bill that would repeal major provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and impose a per capita cap on the Medicaid program, First Focus Campaign for Children (FFCC) releases the following statement by President Bruce Lesley: The American Health Care Act would, as currently written, be a major step backwards for our nation’s children. The uninsured rate for children reached a record low of 4.8 percent in 2015 and has...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2017(WASHINGTON, DC) – First Focus Campaign for Children (FFCC) President Bruce Lesley warns in an open letter to all governors this week that proposed changes to Medicaid financial structures would “undoubtedly have negative consequences on the health and well-being of our nation’s children.” Both structures currently under consideration in Congress–a block grant and a per capita cap–would jeopardize children’s health coverage, says Bruce Lesley, president of FFCC.FFCC president Bruce Lesley writes, “As we contemplate changes to our nation’s health care system, President Trump and Congress should not gamble with the health of our...

FierceHealthcareby Leslie Small2/22/17The changes to Medicaid funding recently proposed by Republicans could have serious consequences for vulnerable populations and state budgets alike, the leaders of five national advocacy organizations said on a press call Wednesday.Howard Bedlin, the National Council on Aging’s vice president of public policy and advocacy, said he was “shocked” that such major changes to Medicaid were included at all in the GOP’s outline of policy proposals about how to replace the Affordable Care Act, given both are separate issues.Regardless, the two Medicaid funding options floated by the GOP—block grants and per capita caps—“would lead to...

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Amid discussions to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, children and health advocates urged Congress to not forget that the law currently provides coverage for former foster youth. In a letter sent to Congress this week, more than 240 organizations expressed their support to ensure that youth who age out of foster care can keep Medicaid coverage until they turn 26, in parity with their peers who can stay on their parent’s health insurance until the age of 26.Over 20,000 youth age out of care each year with very few supports or financial assistance....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 8, 2017(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Amid sweeping changes by the incoming Trump Administration, First Focus Campaign for Children has issued its policy recommendations with a clear “do no harm” standard toward policies that impact America’s children during the first 100 days of the new presidency.These child-focused recommendations come in light of President Donald Trump’s inauguration speech in which he acknowledged the universality of the rights of all children, saying: “And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill...

(January 18, 2017) – Senators Graham (SC) and Durbin (IL), and Representatives Gutiérrez (IL-4) and Coffman (CO-26) reintroduced legislation last week, which would continue protections for beneficiaries of the Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program by allowing them to maintain lawful status and continue to live without fear of deportation.The Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act (S.128/H.R. 496) is designed to be a temporary solution for those protected currently under DACA given the program’s uncertain future under the incoming Administration. To date, more than 740,000 young people have obtained DACA. With the Bridge...