Voices for Utah Children Articles
-
How the 2025 Federal Reconciliation Bill Harms Utah’s Kids and Families
Reality vs. Rhetoric As Utahns, we claim to value bold ideas and practical solutions. We believe in responsible budgets — but not at the expense of our children’s futures. The new Federal Reconciliation Bill of 2025—dubbed the “One Big Beautiful...
- Type: Article
- Author: Moe Hickey
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Sticks and Stones: The Power of the Words We Use
This month feels heavy. Because, well… it is. We celebrate Pride Month, a time to recognize and honor the LGBTQ+ community. But even as we celebrate, it’s impossible to ignore the challenges. This year, Utah became the first state in the country to ban...
- Type: Article
- Author: Laneta Fitisemanu and Moana 'Ulu'ave
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Voices for Utah Children Statement on the Risk the Reconciliation Bill Poses to Utah’s Children
We are disappointed in the recent passage of H.R. 1: "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in the House of Representatives which if enacted, will result in thousands of Utah children and their families losing access to health care, food, and other support...
- Type: Article
- Author: Thaiss Del Rio & Ciriac Alvarez Valle
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Work Requirements Threaten Coverage for Thousands of Utahns on Medicaid
Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee released its long-awaited Committee bill, and as we expected, cuts to Medicaid are on the table. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would cause 13.7 million Americans to lose their...
- Type: Article
- Author: Thaiss Del Rio
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Healthcare Isn't the Only Thing at Risk
Medicaid Cuts Don’t Just Hurt Health—They Weaken Utah’s Economy and Workforce Just days before Congress was set to go on recess, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the joint budget resolution (216–214), with all four members of Utah’s...
- Type: Article
- Author: Thaiss Del Rio
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Was this year's legislative session good for kids? We answer this and more in our 2025 Legislative Recap! In this latest brief, we break down what happened during the legislative session, what we accomplished alongside our partners, and why staying...
- Type: Article
- Author: Anna Thomas
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Voices Statement on the House Budget Resolution
The recent House Budget Resolution proposes $880 billion in Medicaid cuts, a move that would destabilize Utah’s healthcare system. These cuts would affect children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families while straining hospitals and...
- Type: Article
- Author: Thaiss Del Rio
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Preserve Medicaid for Utah Families: Vote NO on SB 257
Senator Brammer's SB 257, Medicaid Accounts Amendments, seeks to introduce a broadly defined "Medicaid shortfall," which could trigger unnecessary budget cuts to essential healthcare services. Even though the existing budget processes already allow the...
- Type: Article
- Author: Thaiss Del Rio
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
How Proposed Federal Medicaid Cuts Could Harm Utah Families
When Cuts Don’t Heal As the 119th Congress begins its new term, proposed cuts to Medicaid are once again a major point of discussion at the federal level. Republicans in Congress are preparing to introduce sweeping budget and policy changes through the...
- Type: Article
- Author: Thaiss Del Rio
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Protecting State CHIP: Vote NO on HB178
37 ORGANIZATIONS, ENTITIES, AND BUSINESSES HAVE SIGNED ON TO PROTECT STATE CHIP The 37 undersigned organizations and entities dedicated to the health and well-being of children and 90 individuals are writing in response to the recently introduced HB178...
- Type: Article
- Author: Ciriac Alvarez Valle
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Voices for Utah Children 2025 Legislative Priorities
Looking to the 2025 Legislative Session, Voices for Utah Children remains committed to speaking out for all those Utahns who can’t vote but are greatly impacted by public policy: our kids! Despite an increasingly difficult state policy climate, we...
- Type: Article
- Author: Anna Thomas
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Insights from Our Southern Utah Engagement Events Medicaid is a lifeline for many families in Utah, especially in rural areas where access to healthcare is often limited. This year, we organized two Medicaid-focused engagement events in Southern...
- Type: Article
- Author: Thaiss Del Rio
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Revitalizing a Closed School Into a Community Center
Reimagining James Madison Elementary Ogden School District is a beautiful and vibrant community filled with dedicated leaders who aim to ensure it is a place where all its students can thrive. While the Ogden area faces notable challenges, it is also a...
- Type: Article
- Author: Ciriac Alvarez Valle, Laneta Fitisemanu
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
2024 State of Kids Coverage Report: The Path Taken & the Journey Ahead
Much has changed since the 2019 State of Children's Health Coverage Report. Over the past five years, we have made significant strides at the local and federal health policy levels shaping access to healthcare for children in our state. The journey has...
- Type: Article
- Author: Ciriac Alvarez Valle, Thaiss Del Rio, Laneta Fitisemanu
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Just Released! 2023 Utah KIDS COUNT© Data Book
We are excited to announce the publication of our 2023 KIDS COUNT© Data Book. This annual release provides valuable insights into the well-being of children in Utah. We invite you to take a moment to explore the data and learn more about the state of...
- Type: Article
- Author: Martín Muñoz, Laneta Fitisemanu
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Just Released! 2024 Utah KIDS COUNT© Data Book
Each year we provide valuable insights into the well-being of children in Utah. Please take a minute to explore the data and learn more about how Utah kids are doing in our annual KIDS COUNT© Data Book. This annual release provides valuable insights...
- Type: Article
- Author: Martín Muñoz, Laneta Fitisemanu
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
At Voices for Utah Children, we always start with this guiding question: "Is it good for all kids?" That remains our north star at the outset of the 2024 legislative session, and is reflected in our top legislative priorities. So, what’s good for all...
- Type: Article
- Author: Jenna Williams
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
New State CHIP Program: A Win for Utah Children and Families
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Voices for Utah Children is proud to have co-hosted the momentous unveiling of the new State CHIP Program during our morning press conference. We are grateful to have worked with Senator Luz Escamilla (D-Salt Lake City) and...
- Type: Article
- Author: Ciriac Alvarez Valle
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Annie E. Casey Foundation Releases 34th edition of KIDS COUNT® Data Book
Utah Shines in Child Well-Being Rankings, Yet the Strain of Inaccessible, Unaffordable Child Care Pushes Parents to the Breaking Point Utah made significant strides in overall child well-being, moving up to second place in the country from fourth last...
- Type: Article
- Author: Laneta Fitisemanu
- Category: Updates & Blog
-
Digital Media Policies & Kids: The need for more thoughtful approaches to solutions
By Sariah Villalon (Voices Policy Intern) We live in a digital world where social media has become integral to our society. It has broadened our communication, allowing us to connect and share information with anyone around the world. It has helped...
- Type: Article
- Author: Sariah Villalon
- Category: Updates & Blog
