Legislative Advocacy Center
School-based and school-linked health centers and programs have emerged as a powerful tool in the delivery of health care and education to children and adolescents, yet lack of sustainable funding threatens the centers. The School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan is involved in state and federal health and education policy discussions to strengthen legislative support for SBHCs. SCHA-MI focuses its efforts on increasing access to healthcare, providing critical health education and support services for children and families, improving the quality of care and education delivered and to ensuring stable funding for centers and programs. We encourage you to get involved and let your voice be heard.
ADVOCACY DAY 2011
Advocacy Day 2011 was a success with over 100 youth and staff from Child and Adolescent Health Centers attending and making over 40 visits!
ADVOCACY RESOURCES TO REACH OUT TO LEGISLATORS
Please reach out to Michigan's new Governor, Rick Snyder (R), and legislators to offer your expertise.
Don't forget to invite them to visit your SBHC/SLHC!
SCHA-MI has developed several resources to assist in your outreach and advocacy efforts:
Get to know your new or returning legislators
- UPDATED: Michigan 96th Legislature Pictorial Guide--includes key committee assignments
Not sure who represents you? Find out by entering your zip code.
Send a postcard to your legislators
Write a handwritten letter to Governor Rick Snyder
Governor-elect Snyder's Address:
Transition Team of Governor-elect Rick Snyder
P.O. Box
15307
Lansing, MI 48901
Please email Deborah Riddick, Director of Policy & Planning, if you send any postcards or letters.
LEGISLATORS SPOTLIGHT
SCHA-MI had the opportunity to sit down and chat with two exciting and passionate legislators in January: Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw) and Representative Lesia Liss (D-Warren).
Read what they had to say about school-based and linked health centers and adolescent health in Michigan!
Representative Liss interview.
STATE BUDGET UPDATE
February 17, 2011 – Child and Adolescent Health Centers (CAHCs) are very fortunate to have been among the few categoricals that Governor Rick Snyder recommended in his 2011-12 and 2012-13 fiscal year budgets to maintain current level funding of $3.557 million each year. This is a significant endorsement of the program's integrity and value.
Thank you to all of our members and supporters, our youth and MDCH and MDE for reaching out to the Governor to demonstrate the effectiveness and value of the CAHC program! Read our News Update and blog responding to the Governor's budget proposal.
Let us be mindful, however, of the other proposed budetary cuts affecting children and families in Michigan. Visit Michigan's Children's Budget Basics library for updated information on the impact of the state budget on children.
The Governor's budget proposal is just the first step in the budget process and we now move to the legislature. Over the next several weeks, the Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12/School Aid will hold hearings to listen to public remarks on the Governor's recommended budget to help inform their decisions regarding the budget. View the K-12/School Aid Appropriations Subcommittee schedule.
View language authorizing spending for Child and Adolescent Health Centers in the state budget.
SCHA-MI will continue to update you on any progress. Be sure you are signed up to receive our eBulletins, News Updates, and Weekly Digests!
If you have any questions regarding the State Budget, please contact:
Deborah Riddick, Director of Policy and Planning
School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan
driddick@scha-mi.org
HEALTH CARE REFORM UPDATE
March 25, 2010 -March After decades of attempts, the 111th U.S. Congress passed Health Insurance Reform, along party lines providing access to health care for an estimated 32 million uninsured Americans. Many months of intense debate culminated with a final vote in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 219-212 on March 21st. Included in H.R. 3590 was authorizing language for school based health centers and appropriating “Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013, 50,000,000…” President Obama signed the bill into law on March 23rd. Provided is a link to Public Law No: 111-148; Language addressing SBHCs can be found on pages 428 – 432.
Health Care update letter from Debbie Stabenow
February 17, 2010 -Video Recognition of SCHA-MI membership During National Advocacy Conference. During their Health Action 2010 conference held in Washington D.C this past January, Families USA saluted several grassroots advocacy organization whose local and federal efforts made a positive impact on the recent passage of health reform; SCHA-MI's membership was spotlighted along with other ardent supporters.
Resources
How Health Reform Helps Communities of Color in Michigan, Families USA - Minority Health Initiatives
Youth Rally 2009
Slideshow: Youth Storm Capitol to Save Their Health Centers
6035 Executive Drive, Suite 103 • Lansing, MI 48911 • PH: 517.908.0847 • FAX: 517.381.8011 • info@scha-mi.org