News

This is our rainy day – why isn’t Arizona investing in children’s health?

The American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, went into effect on March 11. The effort passed through Congress with several provisions that will make it easier for Americans to get high-quality, affordable health coverage. Notably, the plan increases and expands premium subsidies for health coverage through Healthcare.gov, the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. As a result, 207,000 uninsured adults can now enroll in Marketplace health coverage at no cost.

The premium subsidy increase is a tremendous move in the right direction. Unfortunately, at this point the increase is a temporary fix to larger problem of health care affordability in the U.S.

Arizona’s lawmakers must act to provide permanent relief to Arizona families by expanding eligibility for KidsCare, Arizona’s Children’s Health Insurance Program. The state’s rainy-day fund carries a balance of roughly a billion dollars, and tax revenues continue to outpace expectations. As we’ve noted previously, an infusion of federal relief funds saved AHCCCS (which administers KidsCare) $153 million in state fiscal year 2020 alone.

And yet, more than 161,000 uninsured Arizona children – the majority of whom are American Indian and/or Latino/a – live in households earning just slightly too much to qualify for the high-quality, low-cost health coverage provided through KidsCare.

Insuring children is an investment in Arizona’s future. When uninsured kids have access to coverage through Medicaid or CHIP, they come to school ready to learn. They’re more likely to graduate from high school and pursue secondary education. They earn more as adults, and are more likely to give birth to healthier infants than those who remained uninsured throughout childhood.

That’s why we’re urging our followers to contact lawmakers now and ask that they expand KidsCare income eligibility in the state budget. To make it easier for you, we’ve put together a click and send advocacy platform – just put in your name and address, and the system will do the rest.

Want to do more?

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Events

Thank you for 35 years and counting....

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News

Children’s Action Alliance Selects January Contreras as New CEO

Children’s Action Alliance has named January Contreras to lead the organization as its new Chief Executive Officer. Contreras, a national and Arizona leader who has dedicated her career to strengthening the well-being and safety of children and families, will step into the role on December 11. “The…

News

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Nov. 1 - Through the Eyes of a Child

We can’t wait to gather as a community of champions for children at next week’s 35 YEARS: Through the Eyes of the Child. We want to share a special announcement with you as we prepare for this annual gathering. Children’s Action Alliance is pleased to announce January Contreras as our new President…

Events

Leadership Academies applications now open!

CAA and Arizona Early Childhood Alliance (AZECA) Leadership Academies are now accepting applications!  Both leadership academies are designed to bring community leaders together to amplify their voices in a unique way to influence policymakers on children and health issues.   CAA’s Lived Experience…