As of this writing, both houses of Congress have placed billions in the federal budget for a 5-year program to insure children presently without health insurance. There are about 10 million American kids, mostly from working families, who lack health insurance. Keep track of how they vote. Call Family Voices or your state child advocacy organization for information. Start working with other advocates to plan how your state's governor and legislature use the money from the kids' insurance bill, Make sure it pays for health insurance and isn't diverted to other causes.
Families can receive assistance for up to five years, but some states have chosen just two years.
All adults must go to work within two years or face penalties. Exceptions include people with disabilities or those caring for them, but this is open to interpretation. A single state agency receives the child care block grant. Legal immigrants will no longer be eligible for benefits. And families must apply separately for Medicaid.