In the national healthcare debate, one thing is exceedingly clear: if you don't speak up you won't be heard. And there are no better voices for what children need in healthcare reform than the healthcare professionals, parents and family members who dedicate themselves every day to providing quality healthcare to children.

Right now Congressional leaders are working at a fast pace and towards a May 22 goal for draft legislation that would reform America’s healthcare system. Kids’ healthcare needs are different than adults. So if we care about how children will be treated in health reform, we must raise our voices — adult voices — and tell Congress why we care.

The Emergency Nurse Association is supporting the Speak Now for Kids in Health Reform campaign, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Children’s Defense Fund, Children’s Health Fund, First Focus, March of Dimes and more than 100 children’s hospitals and allied organizations around the country to provide those who care about children and health reform the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to Congress.

Please take 3 minutes to go to www.SpeakNowforKids.org and tell Congress that children’s healthcare is important to you. Through this highly interactive website, you’ll also have the option to add your personal story, upload photos or video testimonials on the aspect of health reform that you care about most. Whether it is access to care, coverage for all children, cost of insurance or co-pays or the quality of pediatric care – reach out and share your opinions. Then tell a friend and ask them to do the same.

This is a nonpartisan effort, not aimed at supporting or opposing specific legislation, but at letting Congress know what matters most for America’s children as they continue down the road to health reform. America’s children are counting on the adults who care for them to be their voice in this debate and make sure their special healthcare needs are met.

 Please join ENA and Speak Now for Kids!

Feel free to contact Joni Thornton, Iowa ENA Government Affair Chair, at thorntjd@ihs.org.

 

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