Building on the foundation laid during PICO's intensive SCHIP campaign during 2007, PICO affiliates in California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Vermont, and New Jersey plan to step up statewide efforts in 2008 to expand health coverage to children and adults. With a presidential election in full swing, the hope is to continue generating pressure on both a local and state level in order to create an "upward momentum" that will lead to substantial change at the national level.

PICO's experience has proven that local action can have a "trickle up" effect, leading to larger-scale change at higher arenas of power. In 2000, People Acting in Community Together (PACT) in San Jose won passage of the Children's Health Initiative, which guaranteed affordable health coverage to all children in Santa Clara County. This groundbreaking event sparked a wave of similar initiatives around the state. Eight years later, 23 counties across the state have passed similar initiatives and leaders in Sacramento are calling for universal coverage. And these developments in California are helping to shift the national debate around health care.

Examples of local affiliate work include:

In Colorado, Metropolitan Organizations for People (MOP) won important legislation in July making it easier for eligible children to enroll in Medicaid and the state's SCHIP program. In 2008, MOP and it's health care allies are planning a coordinated communications campaign aimed at advancing public policy to strengthen children's health coverage.

In Florida, Federation of Congregations United to Serve (FOCUS), along with three other PICO organizations in the state, are helping to lead a campaign to reform Florida KidCare, the state's SCHIP program. During 2007 FOCUS helped win $1.1 million legislation guaranteeing 5,000 new slots in the program.

In California, People Acting in Community Together (PACT) and Peninsula Interfaith Action (PIA) held a joint action in February to support a county-level proposal to offer affordable health coverage to low-income working adults in Santa Clara County. The two organizations also managed to win approval of a special task force to examine the state of the uninsured in the county and develop proposals for expanding affordable coverage to the county's residents.

In October PICO's new affiliate in Cortland County, in up-state New York, MICAH kicked off its organization with a large public rally that launched a coordinated campaign to cover all children in the county.

In Vermont, Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) helped pass the state's Catamount Healthcare Bill, which guarantees affordable health coverage to families earning between 100-300% of the FPL. In April 2006 when Governor Douglas was threatening to veto the bill (after having vetoed similar legislation the year before) VIA gathered clergy on the statehouse steps for a press conference calling on the Governor and legislators to reach agreement on a comprehensive bill. 

In 2008, VIA will play a major role in reaching out to faith communities across the state to spread word about the new program and begin enrolling families. In addition, VIA will work with a larger healthcare coalition to advocate key reforms to the legislation, including decreasing the waiting period for enrollment, removing key pre-existing conditions disqualifiers (like pregnancy), and allow small businesses to use the program to offer coverage to their employees.

PICO affiliates in Missouri and Louisiana are building statewide campaigns to improve health coverage for children and adults.  And PICO groups in New Jersey are helping lead a new state-wide consumer health coalition to promote state health care reform.

With the cost of private health insurance increasing 8.8% in 2006 alone, health coverage is now growing beyond the reach of many middle-class families in America. 2008 could be a significant year in the struggle to create a quality, affordable health care system in the United States.

To learn more about PICO's efforts to build public will for covering all children and families please visit http://www.piconetwork.org/qualityhealthcare.html.

Related information
PICO California affiliates launch prayer campaign, health care forums across state
Cortland, NY, Rallies for Children's Health Care
PICO Florida helps win $1.1 million for 5,000 uninsured children