CHURCH WOMEN UNITED ACTION ALERT
Act Now! Save CHIP

As we celebrate the Christmas holiday with our loved ones, Congress continues to work tirelessly to pass health care reform legislation. In this time of joy and thanksgiving, please join us calling on Congress to protect health care for children.

The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) may be in jeopardy if health reform legislation is passed through conference commitee in its current version.  CHIP was reauthorized and signed into law in February by the President Obama. Many organizations, and faith advocates have worked tirelessly for years to make sure that children receive the health care they need.

The Children's Defense Fund has determined that millions of children may suffer if the House version of health reform becomes law.  The House bill ends the Children's Health Insurance Program in 2013 and would move an estimated 10 million children to the new, more expensive, health insurance exchange where their parents will pay more for fewer benefits.  The Senate version of the health reform bill now being debated would keep CHIP until 2019 but fails to fully fund it or make system improvements to ensure CHIP children get and stay enrolled and receive the care they need wherever they live.

Call your elected officials today and ask them to protect CHIP!

Call on Congress to push for the following in health reform conference commitee deliberations:

==guaranteeing funding for all children eligible for CHIP
==making CHIP more accessible
==Ensuring children the full range of health and mental health services they need
==Establishing a national health care safety net for CHIP children investing in vulnerable children and families

Immediate Action Needed.  Call your Senator today using this toll-free number:
1-888-797-8717!

Tips for a successful phone call:
The Capitol Switchboard is open 24 hours.  For after-hours calls, just leave messages until the voicemail is full.

1. Dial the toll-free number 1-888-797-8717

2. Once you are connected with the Capitol Switchboard, ask for the office of your Senator by name.

3. Once you are connected with the office, ask to speak with the health care staffer.

Introduction:  Hello, my name is _____  I am a member of [name of your congregation/denomination] in [city, state].

Short message:  I am calling Senator ___.   I am strong supporter and advocate of the Children's Health Insurance Program because it supports working families that need assistance but do not qualify for Medicaid. Children need and count on
this program!

I believe it is imperative that we keep the Children's Health Insurance Program
intact! As the bill goes to conference, I urge you to please protect it by:

guaranteeing funding for all children eligible for CHIP making CHIP more accessible

Ensuring children the full range of health and mental health services they need        

Establishing a national health care safety net for CHIP children investing in vulnerable children and families

This toll-free number was made possible with support from the United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries and the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church in collaboration with Faithful Reform in Health
Care.