Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 8, 2014 / Presidential Documents 60941 

Proclamation 9186 of October 3, 2014 

Child Health Day, 2014 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

All children deserve equal opportunities to realize their potential and reach 

their dreams. Securing this promise for our daughters and sons begins with 

ensuring their health and well-being. As we pause on Child Health Day 

to reflect on this profound obligation, let us recommit to fostering a society 

where there are no limits to what our Nation’s young people can achieve. 

The Affordable Care Act supports children’s health not only by expanding 

access to quality, affordable health insurance for millions of Americans, 

but also by guaranteeing that most health plans cover recommended preventive services for children without copays, including immunizations and developmental screenings. Millions of children are already benefiting from 

this care, and even more will be protected in the years to come. As kids 

grow, the Affordable Care Act continues to support their health by prohibiting 

insurance companies from denying coverage to children with pre-existing 

conditions and allowing young adults to stay on a parent’s health insurance 

plan until age 26. This builds on the successes of Medicaid and the Children’s 

Health Insurance Program, which have significantly reduced the percentage 

of uninsured children. 

When more than one-third of American children and adolescents are overweight or obese, expanding access to nutritious foods and opportunities 

for physical activity is an urgent health issue. Working with both the public 

and private sectors, First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative is 

making it easier for parents and children to make healthy choices that 

put kids on the path to a bright future during their earliest months and 

years. 

As a Nation, we have an obligation to invest in the health of future generations by protecting our planet and our environment. In the past 30 years, 

asthma rates have doubled, and as air pollution gets worse, more kids 

will suffer. Clean air and water are essential to the well-being of our children 

and grandchildren, and we must work today to secure their tomorrow. 

My Administration has taken action and will continue to pursue policies 

that reduce harmful air pollution, improve water quality, and protect communities from toxic chemical exposures. 

When young Americans have the opportunity to live healthy and safe lives, 

they are free to pursue their full measure of happiness. Today, we continue 

our work to support our children’s health and build a Nation where all 

our daughters and sons can thrive. 

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 18, 1928, as amended 

(36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the designation of the first Monday in October 

as Child Health Day and has requested that the President issue a proclamation 

in observance of this day. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 6, 2014, as Child Health 

Day. I call upon families, educators, child health professionals, faith-based 

and community organizations, and all levels of government to help ensure 

America’s children are healthy. 


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60942 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 8, 2014 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of 

October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth. 

[FR Doc. 2014–24215 

Filed 10–7–14; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F5 


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