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Monthly Newsletter - July 2009

New Video: The Lottery of Geography

>Why Play the Lottery of Geography?Did you know that whether or not a family can afford to provide quality health coverage for their child often depends on where they live? It's true!

The criteria (family income and a child's age) that determine whether or not a child qualifies for the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) or Medicaid vary from state to state. And the enrollment process, the benefits covered and the availability of doctors that will accept children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP can also be different if you live in California to Florida.

The result? A confusing health care system where if a family moves to another state, it can mean a child loses health coverage.

This "lottery of geography" is just one of the ways our current health care system is not providing affordable, head-to-toe health coverage for our nation's children.

The good news: Health reform legislation is moving fast on Capitol Hill, and crucial decisions are being made right now to improve our broken health care system.

The bad news: The House of Representatives' health reform bill currently does not make the necessary changes children need to have real health reform, including doing away with the lottery of geography.

There is a solution! Watch our latest video and find out how you can ensure children don't get left out of health reform!


CDF Freedom Schools® Scholars Raise Their Voices for Children's Health Reform

National Day of Social ActionOn July 13, nearly 12,000 scholars gathered across the country to advocate for health reform for all children as part of the CDF Freedom Schools National Day of Social Action. This day is just one component of the CDF Freedom Schools program that provides summer and after-school enrichment that helps children fall in love with reading, increases their self-esteem, and generates more positive attitudes toward learning. Approximately 135 CDF Freedom Schools sites in 27 states participated in the event to urge health reform for children.

View a photo slideshow, watch video news clips and read more about CDF Freedom Schools National Day of Social Action on our website.


CDF Testifies Before Congress on Important Juvenile Justice Legislation

Youth PROMISE Act TestimonyRecently, CDF President Marian Wright Edelman submitted written testimony and testified in person at a Congressional hearing on the Youth PROMISE Act. The Youth PROMISE Act shifts the paradigm from ineffective punishment and incarceration to evidence-based prevention and intervention to address juvenile delinquency.

To learn more about CDF's juvenile justice work, visit our website. More information about the Youth PROMISE Act can be found on Congressman Bobby Scott's website.


Help CDF win a Social Media Makeover

CommunicauseCDF is competing for a social media makeover and we need your help! Vote for CDF to receive a $25,000 social media makeover from CommuniCause. It's simple and it takes only a few seconds. This opportunity would enable CDF to expand its reach and bring attention to our mission to ensure a level playing field for all children through social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Please vote today, the deadline is July 31 at midnight.

(Speaking of social networks... why not become a Fan of CDF on Facebook or follow us on Twitter today?)


New Website Connects People with Critical State Benefits

CDF-Minnesota recently expanded its Bridge to Benefits website, already available to residents of Minnesota, Montana and South Dakota, to residents of North Dakota! Bridge to Benefits helps connect struggling families across the state to important benefits that can lift them out of poverty and help them gain economic stability.

Since Bridge to Benefits was first launched in Minnesota in late 2007, it has connected tens of thousands of people to important state benefits such as energy assistance, health care, child care assistance, food support, school meals and tax credits. In these hard economic times, this tool will quickly and anonymously help families determine if they are eligible for assistance and then provide information about the application process.


We Couldn't Do It Without You

Please Support CDFYour support of the Children's Defense Fund makes an enormous difference in the lives of America's children. The movement for children's rights is fueled by contributions from caring people like you… and we really need your support to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunities we have before us now. Your gift allows us to continue to be a strong and unwavering voice for America's children.

Please donate to CDF today.

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© 2009, Children's Defense Fund, 25 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 | 1 (800) 233-1200 | Unsubscribe
The Children's Defense Fund's Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

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