As Utahns return their ballots and engage with candidates, we want to make sure all Utahns are informed and understand where our future elected officials stand on issues central to Utah kids and families. Here are some questions we are asking- and will continue to ask- our future elected officials to ensure that kids’ are healthy in 2021 and beyond!
Encouraging Vaccines and Checkups for Kids During COVID-19
Since the beginning of COVID-19, there have been stark drops in routine medical care for children. Yet even before the pandemic, thousands of Utah kids were not able to access the preventive care they needed. We want to know:
- How will you ensure that kids can access preventive services, including well-child visits and vaccines, during COVID-19 and beyond?
Advancing Health Equity
COVID-19 is shining a spotlight on long-standing health disparities and systemic barriers to care. In Utah, Latinx, Pacific Islander, Asian and Native American communities are disproportionately suffering from COVID-19 cases and deaths. We want to know:
- How will you guarantee health coverage and access to care for communities that have disproportionately lacked it in Utah especially, in light of COVID-19?
- What will you do to build more equitable public systems and institutions that allow all children to thrive?
Standing Up for Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid has protected families and supported providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, making sure families—including those who have recently lost jobs and the coverage that comes with it—can get the health insurance they need, and health care providers can keep their doors open to provide care. We want to know:
- What will you do to stand up for Medicaid, without restrictions, so Utah families can stay healthy and return to work?
- How will you help all families more easily connect with Medicaid or CHIP coverage and care?
Protecting Coverage for Children and Families: Getting Kids’ Coverage Back on Track
Over the past three years, Utah has seen an alarming increase in the number of uninsured children. In 2016, there were 59,000 uninsured children; now there are 82,000 uninsured children. We want to know:
- What will you do to ensure that all Utah children and families, including those with pre-existing conditions, are able to access and keep quality, affordable health coverage?
- How will you help all children, regardless of background, race or immigration status, access coverage and feel welcome seeking the care they need?
Supporting Kids' Mental Health
COVID-19 is affecting the social-emotional and mental health of parents, caregivers and children of all ages.
What will you do to support the mental health of families and address adverse community experiences and trauma?
Vote for kids' health in 2020 and beyond !
