We're all waiting on more details, and we still need Congress to pass the bill. But after intense negotiations in Congress, the White House announcement today about a framework for the budget bill marks an historic step forward for kids and families — and it's all fully paid for.

After years of advocacy, we're thrilled that the framework includes closing the health coverage gap in Texas and other states that rejected Medicaid expansion. The framework will allow Texans in the gap to receive insurance with $0/month premiums through HealthCare.Gov until December 31, 2025. We will need Congress or state leaders to develop a plan for keeping Texans covered when the provision expires in 2026.

We’re also very excited that the bill released today by the U.S. House includes 12-month continuous health coverage for kids — so they don’t lose their insurance if a parent temporarily picks up a few extra shifts at work — and requires states to provide 12 months of health coverage for moms after pregnancy! Thank you to the 56 Texas groups who signed our letter to Congress about these two provisions this week and worked with us on these two goals over the last several years.

The plan also goes big on child care and pre-k, investing $400 billion to address families’ child care needs and guarantee access to free, high-quality pre-k for 3- and 4-year-olds. Texas has made meaningful strides investing in safer, more effective child care and full-day, high-quality pre-k. However, there will be much more work ahead to ensure Texas leaders implement many of the early learning provisions in the Build Back Better budget bill.

In addition to these health care and early learning provisions, there’s much more to be excited about in the framework announced by President Biden. For example, it extends the expanded Child Tax Credit through 2022, a fantastic policy for slashing child poverty.

Stay tuned and keep raising your voice in the coming hours and days!