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AZ Health Coverage Has Turned a Corner for Children. Don’t Cut Health Care Now.

“Many children who would otherwise be uninsured find a lifeline through public health insurance. In Arizona, 40% of people enrolled in AHCCCS are children. AHCCCS coverage through Medicaid and KidsCare is especially crucial in the many small towns and rural areas of our state, where it provides health insurance to more than half of children. For example, 42% of all children in Cochise County have public health insurance coverage.” Op Ed by January Contreras, Executive Director of Children’s Action Alliance

AZ has 2nd-highest rate of uninsured children

January Contreras, executive director of the Children's Action Alliance of Arizona, said the uninsured numbers are worrisome and as costs go up, more families struggle. More than 542,000 Arizona children live in single-parent homes, which often face disproportionate challenges.

Medicaid cuts would affect AZ rural maternity care

“Jennifer J. Burns, director of government relations for the Children's Action Alliance, said Medicaid is vital and warned if Congress passes the cuts, it will jeopardize Arizona's already strained rural health care system.”

Tucson advocates push to protect Medicaid, SNAP

CAA Executive Director, January Contreras, reminded attendees what’s at stake for families across Arizona, saying there are mothers working hard—sometimes at multiple jobs—who still don't have access to health care. Contreras pointed to the group’s Families First Forum last year, where experts across the state explained how public benefits prevent deeper problems like family separation, food insecurity and emergency room visits. Cuts to these benefits, she said, would only exacerbate these challenges.

Tribes seek foster care for kids in need, but strained resources lead some to group homes

"Fowler knows the foster and congregate care system well after spending time in a group home and later in a foster home in their middle teen years.

Fowler, 27, is a youth leader at Fostering Advocates Arizona, which is housed at and supported by Children’s Action Alliance to raise the voices of young adults who have experienced foster care.

"We know that youths that experience congregate care tend to have poorer outcomes in life," Fowler said. But, "If you place kiddos in a loving setting and put the work in to serve their needs, they will find success, they will find growth."

Arizona's plan to impose work requirements for Medicaid is moving along

"Creating barriers for adults to maintain health coverage will only hurt families by threatening their health and making it hard for them to get jobs and stay working while increasing administrative burdens on the state," wrote Jennifer Burns, director of government relations and health policy for the Phoenix-based Children's Action Alliance

Temporary Halt in Childcare Subsidy Program in Arizona

The Department of Economic Security (DES) acknowledges there is a backlog; the subsidy backlog only affects new applicants. During the pandemic, subsidies were in place as part of the COVID recovery plan, but without those subsidies, many parents and childcare centers cannot afford the cost of care.

Kyrstyn Paulat, Director of Early Learning and Education at Children’s Action Alliance, joined us to discuss the topic.

“Childcare is just not affordable for families. When we’re talking about what this expense means, infant-based care right now is upwards $14 to $15,000 a year,” Paulat said.

Last year, the CAA asked for $100 million in funding from the state, and that money became part of the governor’s budget. After budget negotiations, the program was given $12 million. That is the reason DES has re-instated the waitlist.

Proposed federal cuts could put free school meals at risk for nearly 150,000 Arizona kids

Kyrstyn Paulat is the director of early learning and education at Children’s Action Alliance, a nonprofit, non-partisan advocacy organization. She said 1 in 5 children in Arizona experience food insecurity and school meals help bridge the gap for many families.

Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego Answer Questions on Potential Medicaid Cuts

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly and U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego answer questions during a town hall moderated by January Contreras in Scottsdale on Medicaid cuts.