Greetings,

During the next few days there will be some initial decisions made about whether the part of Senate File 48 that would make all income-qualified children in Iowa eligible for hawk-i and Medicaid will stay in the bill. The bill includes access to undocumented children and would eliminate the five-year wait for legal permanent residents. Now is the time for citizens to contact their Senator at the statehouse about keeping this provision.

We advocate on behalf of making affordable coverage available to ALL children through Medicaid and hawk-i (which provides health coverage to children in families that make too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford health coverage in the general market.)

Children have no choice about where they live and should not be penalized by their parents’ choices. In addition, since all children are eligible to attend public school, keeping all students well is a public health benefit. Otherwise there is lost time from studies, additional medical costs for all, and lost time for their parents at work.

If you support this provision, please alert your Senator today! We need to show legislators that it is not always the nay-sayers that can pick up a phone or send an e-mail. You can leave a message for your Senator through the Iowa Senate switchboard at (515) 281-3371 or simply personalize the e-mail we have created.

Subject: Make health coverage available to ALL children

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I am writing you today out of concern for the children of our state. Currently not ALL children are receiving the proper health care they need and deserve. I understand that Senate File 48 is currently under discussion, and specifically the provision eliminating the five-year wait for legal permanent residents and the inclusion of undocumented children. I believe that all children deserve to be cared for regardless of their parents' decisions.

Providing affordable health insurance coverage to these groups is important. Legal immigrants often come to Iowa to escape persecution and to find a better life. They face many struggles as they assimilate into our communities. Their children should not be denied the benefits of proper, affordable health insurance for five-years. This barrier can create delays in health care which can lead to larger medical issues in the future.

Undocumented children should also have the right to have access to this affordable health insurance. Children have no choice about where they live and should not be punished for their parents' choices.

Making these groups of children eligible for Medicaid and hawk-i not only allows them to have healthly lives, but it creates a public health benefit. All children are eligible to attend public school so keeping all children healthy makes our schools safe and healthy environments.

For these reasons, I urge you to support the provisions in Senate File 48 that create affordable health insurance for all children. I, along with Lutheran Services in Iowa, believe all children deserve to be able to pursue their dreams. Having access to health care helps them as they strive to be successful and productive member of our schools and communities.

Thank you for your support in this matter. I truly appreciate the time you have taken to listen to me and the difficult decisions you make to ensure Iowa remains a great place to live.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]