Put Child Health on the National Agenda for Election 2008!
Dear Key Contacts:
Both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions will be held in a few short weeks (the Democrats, Aug. 25-28 in Denver; the Republicans, Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis). Leaders of both conventions currently are in the process of writing their party’s platforms, outlining their positions on key issues, including health care.
Help put child health on the national agenda: Get involved!
Here’s how you can make your voice heard:
- The Democrats are asking people across America to hold, or attend, community platform meetings between July 17 and 29, and submit their resulting platform “planks,” or ideas, to the Democratic Party. For more information on how to host a Platform Meeting, or find one already planned in your community, go here.
- The Republicans have launched an online grassroots campaign to solicit comments and ideas for the GOP platform. Submit policy ideas and general principles you think should be included in the GOP platform.
We strongly encourage AAP members to help make sure child health issues are part of both parties’ national agenda. Critical issues include: Ensuring all children have access to affordable, high quality health care in a medical home; providing mental health coverage for children equal to medical coverage; addressing workforce shortage issues; making sure the unique needs of children are included in any disaster preparedness planning; and strengthening the nation’s immunization program, building public confidence as well as increasing investment in vaccine safety and disease research.
For more information about the 2008 presidential elections, including the candidates’ health plans and AAP’s access principles, please check out our Election site.
If you have any questions—or to share your experience and suggestions to the parties (please!)—contact Macon Morehouse, Assistant Director, Public Affairs and Membership Advocacy, in the American Academy of Pediatrics Department of Federal Affairs at mmorehouse@aap.org.
Thank you for making children’s health and well-being a big part of the 2008 elections!
