Children’s advocates, community leaders to speak in support of national children’s health reform Sept. 1

Community and political leaders will join Texas child advocacy groups at Rice Sept. 1 to discuss health reform for children, including coverage that is affordable, comprehensive, simple and seamless.

	PHOTOS.COM

When Congress reconvenes next month, lawmakers will be finalizing health-reform legislation that, children’s advocates fear, could leave millions of children worse off, while at the same time allowing insurance and drug companies to profit. The advocates argue children could face higher costs for fewer benefits. They are calling for changes to make it simple for children to enroll in comprehensive and affordable health coverage. Participants in Tuesday’s conference at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy will urge Congress to ensure changes are made to legislation that guarantees the needs of children are met.

Among the invited speakers are U.S. Congressmen Gene Green and Al Green and State Rep. Garnet Coleman. State Rep. Ellen Cohen, whose district includes Rice University, will attend.

Lan Bentsen, chairman of the Children’s Defense Fund-Texas Advisory Board and member of the Greater Houston Partnership, will also speak. Bentsen will be joined by Anne Dunkelberg, associate director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities; R. King Hillier, vice president of public policy and government relations for the Harris County Hospital District; Vivian Ho, chair in health economics at the Baker Institute; Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk; and Maureen Haver, Houston director of Texans Together.

The free event is open to the public and will begin at 11 a.m. in Baker Hall’s Kelly International Conference Facility.