Do No Harm: Religious Leaders Call on Congress to Protect Public Health, Drop Plans That Would Push Low-Income Children, Families Off Medicaid
Posted on: Tuesday, 6 September 2005, 15:01 CDT
News Advisory:
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
DETAILS: PICO National Network will release a report estimating the number of children who would lose health coverage if Congress eliminates rules that protect poor families from premiums and co- pays in the Medicaid program. PICO clergy from Louisiana and across the nation are calling on Congress to drop planned cuts to Medicaid and focus on family relief legislation to address a mounting public health crisis in the South.
"The catastrophic failure of the federal government to protect families from death and destruction shows how our lives depend on a strong safety net," said Paula Arceneaux, chair of New Orleans All Congregations Together. "Now is not the time to cut low-income children and families from health care."
PICO clergy from Louisiana, including pastors from neighborhoods devastated in New Orleans, will participate in the previously- planned press briefing on children's health care. They will be in Washington to lead a national delegation of PICO congregations to demand massive a federal response to protect displaced families across the South.
PICO pastors are bringing a Family Relief plan to Washington that includes public health steps to extend federal health care benefits to all low-income victims and provide federal assistance to states and municipalities whose health care, housing and education systems are overwhelmed by sheltering so many desperate people. Other steps focus on transferable housing vouchers, extended unemployment benefits, financial and job assistance, college tuition and vocational training, crack down on price gouging, debt and mortgage relief and education and counseling for children.
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PICO is a national network of faith-based organizations with 1,000 congregations working since 1972 to strengthen families and communities in 150 cities and 18 states.
http://www.usnewswire.com
Source: U.S. Newswire
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