Programs.

If you read medical journals, you already know that health equity means “the attainment of the highest level of health for all people, where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their optimal health regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, preferred language, or other factors that affect access to care and health outcomes.”

For those of you who prefer to read other things, that’s a lot of words to say that everyone has a right to be healthy. 

Unfortunately, quality healthcare isn’t free. We know that sometimes a lot of statistics make people’s eyes glaze over, so we’ll try to make this quick: 

• In 2022, care was reportedly delayed for 2.7 million children because of its cost; about one in seven adults (14%) reported delaying hospital services in the past year due to the cost. 

• According to data released in July 2020, 4.3 million children under the age of 19 — 5.6% of all children — were without health coverage for the entire calendar year. These included dental care, prescription medication, eyeglasses, and mental health care. 

• Children without health insurance were six times more likely to go without medical care than children with employer based (private) insurance. They were four times more likely than children with private insurance or Medicaid to experience a delay seeking care because their parents were concerned about payment.

We’re not here to talk politics – but we are here to address the impact of politics and policy on the ability for many New York children to get the healthcare they need. 

Our health impacts every other part of our life – whether we’re adults or children. None of us are at our best when we don’t feel well. A baby with a fever can’t sleep. A toddler who’s hungry doesn’t develop strong bones and muscles. A teenager with depression can’t concentrate on succeeding in school.