Category: Health

Protect Federal Funds for Children and Families

Is this pause in federal funds impacting you, your organization, or children and families in Arizona? We are collecting stories to help shine a light on the potential impacts of loss of federal funds. Please consider sharing your story with us and collaborating to protect vital services for children and families.

The federal government, through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has directed agencies to review federal grants and financial assistance and to temporarily pause federal financial assistance. This means a sudden halt to the disbursement of federal funds to states, tribes, local governments, non-profit organizations, private sector partners, and more. 

This directive, in OMB Memo 25-13, causes great concern and uncertainty. 

A Pause in Federal Funds Will Hurt Arizona

Arizona receives a significant amount of federal funds that are vital to the lives of Arizonans. In a 2024 state-by-state analysis of the percentage of state revenue from federal funds, Arizona was in the top ten states, ranked as the state with the third-highest share of federal funds. More recent recent data demonstrates that federal funds account for 45% of Arizona’s budget. This ranges from health care to highways to veteran’s care, child care, and services for seniors. Even a temporary pause in Arizona’s federal funds has the potential to cause harm.

Arizonans Rely on Lifesaving and Life-Changing Services Supported by Federal Funds

As the former Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), I know how much pain will be caused if federal investments are withheld. I know because I’ve met so many of the parents, children, and people who are impacted by what they often call “lifesaving” or “life-changing” services. At HHS, funds are disbursed for critical programming, including Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Programs, substance use treatment, suicide prevention, pandemic preparedness, and much more. At ACF alone, federal funds historically support: Children in foster care, their kinship caregivers, and foster families; Child care services in every state and Head Start programs that parents and employers rely on; Services for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking; Housing and job assistance for teenagers as they exit the foster care system and young people in the runaway and homeless youth system; Utility assistance to help people keep their heat on in the cold and air conditioner in the summer; and Temporary assistance for needy families to help Americans get through tough times. Pulling the rug out from children, families, and the American people at the toughest times of their lives, and when they are already facing rising costs, will be especially painful. 

Need for Greater Clarity
Many questions remain about the scope of the directive to halt federal funds.

What is the universe of funding at risk under the directive? This requires clarity. The answer seems likely to hinge on the interpretations of federal administrators. The memo notes that the directive does not impact Social Security or Medicare payments or assistance provided directly to individuals. In addition to the memo, OMB also issued a Q&A guidance related to the memo. This Q&A states that Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Head Start will continue without pause. These clarifying statements are important, especially as some federal funding payment systems have been inaccessible today. Furthermore, even with these clear exceptions, many consequential services and programs supported by federal funds remain at risk.

How Long Will Funds Be Paused? This is an open question. The memo directs federal agencies to report back to the White House based on their review by February 10. Courts and judicial actions will also have an impact on this as litigation proceeds. 

Is it Legal to Pause Congressionally Appropriated Funds? This question is already being litigated, and a court has quickly intervened to halt the effects of this directive until at least Monday. We often hear of Congress as having the “power of the purse” because the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to impose taxes and spend revenues. In addition, the Impoundment Control Act also created controls to prevent unilateral executive actions that delay or cancel funding passed by Congress. 

What’s Next? Children’s Action Alliance stands with our partners statewide who show up for children and families every day. We will share the potential impact of this and other federal actions with our congressional delegation and other Arizona leaders. All of us will continue to see news come out about new federal actions, litigation, and court decisions.

We will stay informed and share information so we can collectively take action to protect services for children and families. Join us in these efforts.

Is this pause in federal funds impacting you, your organization or children and families in Arizona? We are collecting stories to help shine a light on the potential impacts of loss of federal funds. Please consider sharing your story with us and collaborating to protect vital services for children and families.

TODAY: Support Free School Meals (HB2213 Hearing @ 2PM)

School meals address child hunger in Arizona, and House Bill 2213 Appropriation, free school meals will be heard in the House Education Committee on Tuesday, January 28th at 2 PM in Room HHR1! 

This bill appropriates $3.8M  from the state general fund in fiscal year 2025-2026 to Arizona's Department of Education to provide meals to children in their own school every day and the bill explicitly states its intent that this $3.8 million allocation should be considered ongoing funding in future budget years. At a time when parents are struggling with rising costs, this investment is significant to sustaining these meal support programs beyond the initial fiscal year.   

Please show your support by:  

  • Signing into Request to Speak (RTS) to indicate your support on the bill if you have an RTS account. The RTS application allows you to register your opinion and leave a comment for the committee members, which is a simple and effective way to show support.  
  • Showing up at the House Education Committee hearing! Attendance and support are key, as in-person turnout demonstrates that many are enthusiastic about this investment.   
  • Contacting House Education Committee members email TODAY prior to the committee meeting on Tuesday, January 28 at 2:00 PM. As advocates, the individual outreach stresses to these members that this appropriation is a top priority for our state. The House Education Committee members are (* are the bill sponsors):
    • Representative Gress, Chairman  
    • Representative Taylor, Vice-Chairman  
    • Representative Abeytia*   
    • Representative Gutierrez*   
    • Representative Peña  
    • Representative Biasiucci   
    • Representative Hernandez L*   
    • Representative Simacek*  
    • Representative Fink   
    • Representative Marshall  
    • Representative Garcia*   
    • Representative Olson  

HB2213 is a significant step to ensure that economically disadvantaged students have access to nutritious meals during the school day, which can support their health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Your support is critical! 

AHCCCS and KidsCare are Essential in Rural Arizona

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Arizona’s Medicaid program, and KidsCare, Arizona’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), are key to the health of children and families. A  new report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families  makes this clear, especially the role that Medicaid and CHIP have in small towns and rural counties in Arizona.

The report reveals important regional trends regarding health insurance coverage. Children and adults in rural areas often have higher rates of being uninsured. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, rural areas like La Paz, Apache, Navajo, and Gila County had the highest percentages of children without health insurance in Arizona. This shows that public health insurance options are important to all Arizonans, and that is especially true in rural areas.

Read more about the importance of Medicaid and CHIP for children and adults in Arizona's small towns and rural counties in this new Georgetown University CCF report.

All Arizonans Need Paid Family Medical Leave

Paid family medical leave is a policy that serves children, families, and our economy. The Center for Law and Social Policy has released a new report that shares data surrounding the impact of paid family medical leave across the nation.

Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans need paid leave, but there is no established state paid family and medical leave program. Paid leave can be used to care for a new child, to heal from a serious illness, or to care for a loved one facing health challenges. When paid leave is not available, Arizonans often take an economic loss to care for themselves or a child or family member. In 2020, 35.3% of Arizonans took unpaid leave to care for a new child, with many also taking unpaid leave to care for their own health (29.4%) and to be a family caregiver (25.4%).

Many may wonder – why is this a children's issue? Because, as the report notes, paid leave supports:

  • improved health outcomes;
  • improved infant and toddler development;
  • better maternal mental and physical health;
  • reduced infant mortality; and
  • household economic security following the birth of a child.

Children’s Action Alliance advocates for paid family medical leave in Arizona and in federal policy because it is an important benefit that results in healthier families.

Read the report to see the impact on Arizona and become a part of the advocacy for paid family medical leave.

Click here to read the full report.

How Good Is Arizona’s Maternal Healthcare?

The United States is confronted with a significant challenge in maternal health, holding the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, a trend that is on the rise and disproportionately affects Black and Indigenous women. In this context, Arizona’s situation is particularly concerning. According to the latest 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care by The Commonwealth Fund, Arizona is positioned at 44th place overall. Our state has shown commendable performance in managing preterm births, low-risk cesarean deliveries, and HIV testing among women aged 18-64. However, it falls short in providing a consistent healthcare source or routine checkups for women of childbearing age, ranking among the lowest. The data tells us we have a crisis to address - the maternal mortality rate in Arizona surpasses the national average, and the state’s infant mortality rate, previously better than average, has now deteriorated beyond the national rate.

In 2022, Children’s Action Alliance collaborated with key partners to secure a 12-month extension of AHCCCS postpartum coverage. This initiative ensures that new mothers can focus on their newborns without the added stress of health insurance transitions. Stay tuned for further updates and policy recommendations from us and our allies to enhance maternal and child health in Arizona. If you’re interested in more details or wish to participate in our maternal health stakeholder meetings, please reach out to Matt Jewett, our Health Policy Director, at mjewett@azchildren.org.

Read the full report here.

Arizona Releases First-Ever Report on Adolescent Health

Children’s Action Alliance (CAA), in collaboration with Affirm and the Arizona Alliance for Adolescent Health, is excited to release the inaugural State of Adolescent Health in Arizona report. Recognizing that adolescence is a critical phase of growth and development for establishing a foundation for a healthy life, the report identifies the obstacles faced by youth in Arizona:

  • Approximately one in six Arizona adolescents experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, ranking as the 9th highest rate in the nation.
  • However, when it comes to receiving treatment for these episodes, Arizona is positioned at 47th in the nation.
  • Only 52% of adolescents requiring mental health services had insurance coverage that adequately met their needs.

CAA remains dedicated, alongside the Arizona Alliance for Adolescent Health, to ensuring that youth receive the necessary care for a healthy and fulfilling life.  This commitment underscores the urgency and importance of addressing the mental health needs of adolescents in the state.

Click here for the full report.

Nearly 103,000 Arizona kids lost AHCCCS, but KidsCare expansion brings hope.

Since the end of the public health emergency a year ago, 103,000 fewer Arizona children are enrolled in AHCCCS coverage with the return to regular renewal requirements, according to a new report from Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. AHCCCS and its companion KidsCare provide child-specific health insurance for nearly 900,000 children, including routine preventive care, developmental screenings and treatment, vaccinations, behavioral health, and vision and dental services.

While some of these children may have gained other coverage, through a parent’s employer or the Health Insurance Marketplace, more Arizona children likely have become uninsured in the past year.

But there is good news. On April 1, the income limit for KidsCare increased by nearly $10,000 a year for a family of four, meaning 10,000 additional Arizona children will become eligible. Also, at the beginning of this year, new federal requirements took effect providing 12 full months of continuous coverage for children in AHCCCS and KidsCare, meaning fewer administrative requirements for families to maintain their healthcare coverage.

Children’s Action Alliance continues working with our community partners and AHCCCS to increase children’s access to coverage. If you or someone you know needs health insurance, visit Cover AZ’s website to find a local community-based organization to help.

Click here for the full report.

Oral Health Day at the Capitol 2024

This month, CAA joined the Arizona Oral Health Coalition at the Capitol with the message to lawmakers that children and families cannot be healthy without good oral health. We asked legislators to prioritize comprehensive dental care for adults in AHCCCS in the budget they will be negotiating with the Governor.

Our Representatives and Senators were supportive, but our bill SB1037 has not been heard in the House Health and Human Services Committee, and this week is the last week for bills to be heard in the opposite chamber from where they were introduced. Thanks to all who came and got to see their legislature in action. Thanks also to our Representatives and Senators for learning about oral health. We will keep making our voices heard.

 

ICYMI: 10,000 MORE Children are KidsCare Eligible!

ICYMI: KidsCare, Arizona's Children's Health Insurance Program, is expanding eligibility. By increasing family income limits that qualify for KidsCare, more children can access affordable health care. The expansion was originally approved by the Governor and state legislature with bipartisan support in last year’s state budget. Governor Hobbs announced last week that the federal government approved the expansion to make 10,000 more children eligible for KidsCare starting  March 1. Children’s Action Alliance CEO, January Contreras, joined the Governor and AHCCCS Director Carmen Heredia to share remarks celebrating the important news.

We know children with health insurance are better able to get the care they need to grow up healthy, do well in school, and thrive in life. Thousands of families throughout the state will benefit.

Arizona still ranks in the bottom four states for uninsured children. Yet, we’re moving in the right direction. The rate of Arizona children without health insurance has fallen by half since 2008, from 16% to 8%. This KidsCare expansion will keep moving us forward.

Now, a family with four children and a monthly income of up to $5,850 is eligible for KidsCare. If you think you are eligible or work with families who may be eligible, take action to help children gain the health coverage they need.

To learn more and schedule an enrollment appointment, please visit www.coveraz.org/connector.