Voice for Kids Blog
Surviving the unexpected: The Stoltz family story
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- Published on Tuesday, 11 June 2013 12:30
On June 19-20, the Children's Hospital Association will be holding its ninth annual Family Advocacy Day in Washington, DC. The Stoltz family will be attending on behalf of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
Imagine yourself boarding an airplane, excited for the destination that lies ahead. Despite what promises to be a simple trip, during the course of the flight things start to go wrong.
An engine fails, a fire breaks out, a wing falls off and you have intermittent guidance from the control tower. You cling to your seat and hope against hope that somehow you’ll make it to the ground safely. You are filled with anxiety and paralyzing fear. Your well-being is in jeopardy and you are virtually powerless to do anything about it.
Children’s at the Capitol: Kids’ health protected in 2013
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- Published on Thursday, 23 May 2013 17:06
After a whirlwind of activity over the past five months, the 2013 state legislative session came to a close on Monday, May 20. Following a game-changing election that resulted in the democrats winning control of the Minnesota House and the Senate, the legislative session offered plenty of surprises and controversy. This ranged from passage of a $2 billion tax bill that included a $1.60 increase in the tobacco tax, to legalizing same-sex marriage and dedicating funds for all-day kindergarten.
Children's at the Capitol: Pediatric health care in the state budget
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- Published on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 14:06
As the conference committee begins its work to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the HHS budget, it’s an important time to reach out to legislators and ask them to protect Children’s hospitals and health care for kids! Act now to protect pediatric health care.
With the end of the Minnesota legislative session fast approaching, policymakers are getting down to brass tacks in passing a balanced budget for the next two years. A big part of that budget is dedicated to Health and Human Services (HHS), and many of the programs that kids and families who receive care at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota rely on are funded through that pot of money.
Faces of Medicaid: The Champe family story
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- Published on Thursday, 09 May 2013 14:39
Medical Assistance, Minnesota's Medicaid program, provides essential care for a broad range of families in Minnesota and nearly half of the program's beneficiaries are children. "Faces of Medicaid" is a year-long series that will highlight stories from some of the patient families at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota who have benefitted from this safety net program. Protecting Medicaid is a high priority for Children's. Read more about why Medicaid matters to Children's.
My daughter Ava Marie Anna was born weighing less than a pound of butter. She was 14.5 ounces and 12 inches in length. Ava was born fighting for her life and she continues to work hard every day to make her place in our world.
Children’s at the capitol: The Youth Advisory Council goes to Saint Paul
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- Published on Thursday, 25 April 2013 14:13
It’s never too early to get involved with the policy issues that make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. At Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, our Advocacy and Health Policy team works to engage our employees, patients and families to speak out about health policies that impact our ability to provide high-quality pediatric care in our state and region.
This week, several of our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members made the trek to Saint Paul (through snow and cold weather, no less!) to talk with state legislators about their experiences at Children’s. Here’s a photo diary of the day.
