As the legislators debate the final state budget, they should remember that kids in our community are counting on them to protect their health coverage. If we go by the Senate proposal, health care would be denied to thousands of children. The House bill is better as it does not deny any child medical coverage.
Apple Health for kids is our state’s affordable, comprehensive health coverage plan for our children. Thanks to it, 40 percent of kids in Clark County get the care they need, when they need it. As a teacher, I see it as a needed protection for families who might not qualify for other medical coverage. The Senate proposal would be a direct hit to struggling families.
Children need to have medical coverage to insure a healthy and whole child. Sick children do not do as well in school, and when every child has access to health care, all children benefit. I am proud to live in a state that aspires to cover all kids, because all children deserve to grow up healthy.
Even in these hard times, we need to stick to our values. We have a successful, cost-efficient health coverage program that’s safeguarding our future. The Legislature needs to protect it.
Donna Wilbur
Battle Ground
