Child Advocates Rally for Denali KidCare
by Brenda Moore, Director of Faith Based & Community Relations for CHA
The Denali KidCare Rally was held March 20, 2008. A small planning team planned and executed the rally in five days. Along with me the team consisted of Diane DiSanto special assistant to the Mayor; Lorie Morris, the director of Alaska Baptist Family Services; Caren Robinson, the legislative liaison for Juneau Youth Services, and Angela Salerno, the advocacy coordinator for the Alaska Mental Health Board and Governor’s Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The rally was done under the auspices of the Alaska Human Services Coalition.
Lorie Morris emceed the event and read a statement from Senator Davis, the sponsor of SB 212. Mayor Mark Begich spoke; declaring that it is appalling that we are not covering children in families with incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) in a time of budget surplus. Increasing access to health care for children is one of the Mayor’s legislative priorities. Dierdre Cronin, director of Covenant House, as well as former Governor Tony Knowles also spoke. Dr. Tom Hunt , medical director of Anchorage Neighborhood Health spoke related a compelling instance when Denali KidCare saved the life of a child of an HIV positive mother. Christina Lowther Grandfamily Network Coordinator for Volunteers of America spoke on behalf of grandparents raising grandchildren. There are about 8,000 in Alaska! Alaska Faith in Action Congregations Together (AFACT, was represented by Dahna Graham speaking eloquently on their behalf. They held a meeting last year after interviewing families of their 13 member churches. Children’s health care emerged as the highest concern for families. An organizing church ministry held a meeting with the commissioner of health and social services regarding child health care. Over 200 people attended that meeting held at Central Lutheran Church. Persuasive testimony abounded about the need for access to health care for children of families whose income fell between 150 and 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
The Daily News did an editorial in yesterday’s paper with information about the rally. The rally was covered by Channel 2 and 11. Over 100 people signed the petition at the rally. Our planning committee was very satisfied with the outcome of the event attendance and coverage, although our efforts didn’t prompt Senator Steadman, chair of the senate finance subcommittee to allow SB 212 a hearing and a vote on the floor. Although planning the rally contributed more busyness to my already hectic schedule, I felt it was an important effort that could increase access to health care for more children.
I keep reminding myself that we do our part and then we have to leave it in the Lord’s hands.
Cornerstone Medical Clinic director Dr. Byron Perkins, together with his wife, visted Burkina Faso in February of this year on behalf of Alaska Medical Missions and the Assembly's of God missions ministry.
According to Dr. Perkins it was a very successful and rewarding trip. Many valuable connections were made to faciliate sending medical supplies and health care providers there in the future.