Some good chances to speak out about issues pertaining to children are coming up, and we highlight these, along with updates on everything from Texas children's H1N1 vaccines to approaches to treating depression in this week's round-up.
Of course, the big national story on many folks' minds is what happens now with health reform. Perhaps the context most important to keep in mind for Texans this week is that the state responsible for an electoral upset, which has led some to question the fate of the reform bills pending in Congress, just happens to be the one with the least to gain from health reform. That's because Massachusetts' state legislature (including the former state senator just elected to the U.S. Congress) passed a reform package that has made that state the best in the country at ensuring children can see a doctor when they need to.
The program enjoys vast popular support. A recent
Boston Globe/Harvard School of Public Health poll found 58% of Massachusettans support their enacted reforms vs. just 28% who oppose it; 8 voters in 10 there think the law should continue, while only 1 in 10 thinks it should be repealed. Few public policies get favorability ratings
that high.
Whatever message Massachusetts voters were sending, it's clear that they hold their health reform dear. Since their children are eight times as likely as Texas kids to have health insurance, we can't blame them. We also can't let their actions prevent our kids from getting the same opportunities.
Texas is the state with the most to gain from health reform. If the Senate bill passes, more than a million more of our Texas children will have the chance to go to a doctor's office when they're sick. More than a million of our families will sleep better at night, knowing they're no longer merely a broken arm or an asthma attack away from bankruptcy. And millions of millions of Texas taxpayers will benefit from insuring more kids, something that makes the system more affordable, reliable, and cost-efficient for us all.
As our summary below notes, there is a path forward for reform. You can help pave the way: contact your members of Congress today to say you support passing national health reform. (Check out a letter from Families USA if you need some ideas on what to say.)
Weekly Round-Up
Child and Maternal Health
1.22.10 How National Health Reform Can Still Happen for Texas Children and Families (Multiple Sources)
1.21.10 80 Percent of Kids Lack Second Dose of H1N1 Vaccine, State Says (Austin American-Statesman)
1.19.10 First Lady Drafts Mayors in Youth Obesity Battle (Chicago Tribune)
1.18.10 Federal Task Force Recommends Screening for Obesity in Kids, 6-18 (Reuters)
1.18.10 Research Finds Link between Air Pollution, School Absences in Texas (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
1.16.10 Survey Reveals Top Health Concerns for Children in North Texas (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
More Health News...
Child Protection
1.20.10 New Resource Digest on Child Protection Issues (Texans Care for Children)
1.19.10 New HIV Testing Law Focuses on Pregnant Women (Austin American-Statesman)
1.14.10 Study: 1 in 4 Female Teens Involved in Violence (Associated Press)
More Protection News...
Family Financial Security Headlines
1.20.10 The Suburbanization of Poverty: Trends in Metropolitan America, 2000 to 2008 (Brookings Institution) More Financial Security News...
Juvenile Justice Headlines
1.22.10 National Student Group will Focus on Youth Prison Reduction (PROMISE) Act at Texas Conference in February (Student Peace Alliance)
1.21.10 Approaching Juvenile Justice with a Focus on Positive Youth Development (National Juvenile Justice Network)
1.15.10 States Rethink "Adult Time for Adult Crime” (CNN)
More Juvenile Justice News...
Child Mental Wellbeing Headlines
1.22.10 Rep. Mike Villarreal Seeks Input on What Works in Education and Early Learning (www.mikevillarreal.com)
1.21.10 When Mothers are Depressed, What Happens to their Babies? (State of the Children blog)
1.18.10 Emotional Training Helps Kids Fight Depression (National Public Radio)
1.17.10 Task Force for Children with Special Needs Accepting Testimony for Feb. 17 Hearing (Texas Health and Human Services Department)
More Mental Health News...
