Advocacy and health policy

Advocacy at Children's: You can be a voice for all children

When it comes to kids, our job extends beyond our hospital doors.

Dr. Alan Goldbloom, President & Chief Executive Officer, talks about why advocacy matters in protecting kids' health.

What is the Advocacy and Health Policy department?

The Advocacy and Health Policy department focuses on protecting chidlren's health through infuencing federal, state and local public policy decisions. We also engage with stakeholders outside the policy arena on issues and projects focused on children. On a daily basis, we tackle issues as diverse as Medicaid, newborn screening, immunizations, care coordination and childhood obesity. 

Children don't always have a voice in the decisions that affect them and their families, making it incredibly important that those of us who can speak up, do speak up. Learn how you can be a voice for children.

Voice for Kids blog

Children's at the Capitol: Kids' health protected in 2013

After a whirlwind of activity over the past five months, the 2013 state legislative session came to a close on Monday, May 20.

With the state facing a budget deficit of $627 million, the Health and Human Services committees were tasked with cutting $50 million from their budget — a worrisome prospect to the healthcare community after facing repeated cuts during the past decade. Yet despite the difficult task of trimming healthcare spending, legislators left hospitals relatively unharmed and increased funding for many programs that benefit children and families.

The Health and Human Services bill passed both the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Dayton on May 23. Read how the bill affects Children's and health care for kids.