(ATLANTA, GA)— The March of Dimes Georgia Chapter is implementing a statewide volunteer e-mail and phone campaign urging legislators to vote to keep the PeachCare for Kids program in place and accessible to Georgia’s children.  PeachCare for Kids is a vital program that ensures access to health care for infants and children in low income families.  This program enables hundreds of thousands of Georgia’s children to receive regular checkups, sick visits, or have access to medications to treat potentially dangerous conditions like asthma. 

“March of Dimes volunteers are the organization’s biggest asset and Georgia’s children really need their help right now. We are asking all supporters to call or e-mail their local legislators and rally for support of PeachCare for Kids,” says March of Dimes Georgia Chapter Chairman, George McKerrow. “Without this program, thousands of children will lose insurance and, in addition, many common childhood medical conditions, like asthma, will not be kept under control, resulting in an increase in expensive emergency room visits .” 

Recent proposed measures by the Governor and the Georgia General Assembly would reduce and limit the number of children eligible to receive health care through the PeachCare for Kids program. The Department of Community Health has put a freeze on PeachCare enrollment.  Currently there are approximately 100,000 children eligible for PeachCare who are not enrolled.  In addition, House Bill 340 calls for reducing PeachCare eligibility from 235% of the Federal Poverty Level ($39,000 for a family of three) to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level ($33,200 for a family of three).  By freezing enrollment or reducing PeachCare’s eligibility, thousands of Georgia’s children will become uninsured.  

Currently approximately 270,000 children are enrolled in PeachCare with health benefits that include primary, prevention specialist, dental care, vision care, hospitalization, emergency room services, prescription medications, and mental health care.  The Department of Community Health estimates PeachCare for Kids will run out of federal funds by March. 

According to the Institute of Medicine, health insurance status is the single most important influence in determining whether health care is accessible to children when they need it. The uninsured are less likely to have a usual source of medical care and more likely to delay or forgo needed health care services. Uninsured children are more likely to have poor overall health.

To join the March of Dimes Georgia Chapter’s PeachCare for Kids Legislative Outreach Campaign visit the chapter’s website at www.marchofdimes.com/georgia for campaign materials or call the chapter office at 404-350-9800.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy.

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