DONATE TODAY!   Ensure that children will have a voice in the decisions made by state lawmakers. Member: Voices for America's Children Action Alert Your Voice is needed NOW to ensure that Georgia's Children have vital healthcare coverage As you know, Georgia's PeachCare for Kids program is facing a temporary $131 million shortfall in federal funds. If the shortfall is not addressed, state officials say PeachCare for Kids will run out of funding by March 2007, leaving over 270,000 children in the program as well as future enrollees without health care coverage. Last week, the Department of Community Health announced a freeze on PeachCare enrollment effective March 11, 2007. Legislators are currently discussing proposals to further slash eligibility and benefits for children already enrolled in PeachCare. These cuts will result in fewer kids being covered and in poorer health outcomes. All of Georgia's children should have healthcare coverage. PeachCare is a sound, cost-effective program that serves hardworking families who otherwise could not afford to cover their kids. Many of them do pay monthly PeachCare premiums. Governor Perdue and the legislative leadership must act now to keep our children covered. The state does have options for fixing the problem in the absence of Congressional action. They can use state funds to fill the gap or they can leverage federal Medicaid dollars to cover the children. Either way, they can and must protect our children. Raise your voice today on behalf of Georgia's Children! Please contact Governor Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, and House Speaker Glenn Richardson and ask for their leadership to fix the PeachCare shortfall now. If you can send a fax to each of their offices, please do so today. Alternatively, send an e-mail or call to register your view that children's health should be a priority. Tell them that freezing enrollment, slashing eligibility and cutting benefits will harm kids. Ask them to move ahead to fill the PeachCare funding gap so that families will know their children's coverage can continue. Urge them not to let these children face the danger of going without insurance. The Honorable Sonny Perdue, Governor State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334 Telephone: (404) 656-1776 Fax: (404) 657-7332 http://www.gov.state.ga.us/contact_dom.shtml Casey Cagle, Lt. Governor Office of the Lieutenant Governor 240 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334 Telephone: (404)656-5030 Fax: (404) 656-6730 Glenn Richardson, Speaker Georgia House of Representatives 332 State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334 Telephone: (404) 656-5020 Fax: (404) 656-5644 Glenn.richardson@house.ga.gov
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