Virginia Coalition for Children's Health Over the past nine years, the Virginia Coalition for Children’s Health (VCCH) has advocated for many legislative and policy changes to improve Virginia’s health insurance programs for children. VCCH has had more than 100 member organizations since it started and its work over the years has been recognized by many legislators.		Contact info Our services Staff bios Supporting organizations Virginia Coalition for Children's Health Coalition supporters Platform and Sign Up
	The overall goals of VCCH are 1) to maintain and improve Virginia’s health insurance programs for children; 2) to support the enrollment and retention of eligible children in those programs; and 3) to improve children’s health by insuring access to quality services. To that end, the VCCH is working on both the federal and state levels to meet these goals. FEDERAL: On December 12, 2007, President Bush vetoed - for the second time - bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the SCHIP program. The contentious and ugly debate we’ve witnessed over SCHIP this year demonstrates the major challenges ahead of us in 2009. VCCH wants to thank all of you for your work on SCHIP Reauthorization (so far)! Members of VCCH met in person with staffers for Virginia’s Senators and U.S. Representatives early in the process, and we communicated with all of them on a regular basis. We were especially pleased that three Virginia Republicans in Congress supported the Reauthorization bills. We will continue to monitor developments on SCHIP and take necessary action on behalf of Virginia’s low income children. STATE: On the state level, the VCCH will support the health care initiatives included in the Governor’s budget. These initiatives are important steps to improve access to health care in Virginia. While the Health Reform Commission’s "Roadmap" recommended many other necessary reforms (such as expanding Medicaid and FAMIS - to cover more low income parents, higher income children, and dental care for adults) the Governor’s initiatives get the car on the right road! In an extremely tight budget year, with many competing human services needs (e.g. mental health, pre-K, foster care), it is highly unlikely that the legislature will enact more far-reaching health proposals. We need to focus our efforts on supporting the Governor’s proposals. ACTION STEPS NEEDED: In light of the above, the Virginia Coalition for Children’s Health’s top priority for 2008 will be the expansion of FAMIS Mom’s eligibility to 200% FPL. To become a member organization of the 2008 Virginia Coalition for Children's Health, simply send an e-mail containing the following statement and information to Jill Hanken, VCCH Chair at jill@vplc.org: "The Following Organization Supports the 2008 Platform of the Virginia Coalition for Children’s Health and Authorizes Participation as a Member Organization." Organization: Contact Person: Address: Phone: FAX: E-Mail(s): Name of Person Authorizing Participation: Position of Person Authorizing Participation: Special Instructions for making contacts during the General Assembly Session: