Summer School Lesson: The ABC's of Health Care Reform
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July 14, 2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Health care reform is not your typical summer school lesson, but some California youths are both learning and teaching the importance of insuring kids. Two separate rallies in Northern and Southern California were held on Monday as part of the National Day of Social Action sponsored by the Freedom School program of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF).
Evan Holland with CDF says the children understand that civic engagement is critical to their growth and development.
"They stood up with their signs and their banners, and they performed speeches and poems, all showing the importance of the need for national health care reform."
Freedom School volunteer Susan Maynard says the events are an important way to teach civic engagement, because children learn by doing.
"We're talking to them about making a difference in the world, themselves, their families, and then when we put them out in the community and they see the public walking past and stopping to hear them, it just takes them to another level."
In California, more than 200 youths participated in the day of action to urge Congress to pass health care reform legislation that's affordable, comprehensive and easy to enroll in. Some opponents of reform worry about the cost and what it could mean for the future of private insurance companies.
In California, more than 700,000 kids lack health insurance.
Nearly 150 CDF Freedom Schools Sites in 27 states participated in the National Day of Social Action to urge health care reform for children.
More information on the CDF Freedom Schools program is available online at
www.childrensdefense.org