New e-movement mobilizes busy parents on children's health care

Jun 1 2006

Are the Soccer Moms and NASCAR Dads of yesterday becoming the e-Parents of today? And will they be a political force in 2006?

A new e-Movement, launched today by Parents' Action for Children, aims to help busy parents use the Internet to make their voices heard in the 2006 campaign and beyond.

Parents' Action's Campaign for Healthy Kids - Care.Click.Vote! will bring parents across the country together on-line to voice their concerns about the need for quality, affordable health care for all children -- and it will make sure those concerns are conveyed to Congress and all candidates running for office in 2006. According to a Gallup Poll, an astonishing 68 percent of Americans are deeply concerned about the accessibility and affordability of health care - polling more than 20 points higher than concerns about future terrorist attacks, an issue that dominates news and current policy debates.

"Health care, the economy, and gas prices are taking center stage in the 2006 elections. Parents' Action for Children has been working with parents for almost a decade and it is clear that they are focusing more on domestic security. And parents want action from our elected officials," said Norman Rosenberg, president and CEO of Parents' Action for Children.

For busy parents, the Internet is the quickest and simplest way to take action.

"Seventy-three percent of adult Americans use the Internet. And surveys indicate that what they like best about the Internet is its efficiency," said Rosenberg. "We believe that through our Care.Click.Vote! Campaign, parents will find an easy, efficient way to unite and make their voices heard. Before November 2006, tens of thousands of parents will stand up on-line to say ‘I care, I clicked and I'm voting for candidates who support health care for kids.' "

This new Parents' Action campaign will undertake a variety of activities to ensure that parents' clicks count. It will kick off with a "Care.Click.Vote!" pledge competition that will challenge parents to an on-line, state-by-state race to put children's health on the map - literally. It will also include a series of online videos to galvanize parent support around the country. After Labor Day, the campaign will focus on mobilizing parents online in support of congressional candidates and elected officials who have made a commitment to support access to health care for all children.

Health care benefits have increasingly been slashed for many working families, and since 1988, health premiums have risen 600 percent. Nearly one in three Americans say they or a family member had to delay or forgo medical care because of health care costs. And nine million children, most of whom live with at least one working parent, have no insurance at all.

"In 2004, candidates used the Internet to provide information about themselves to voters. We're taking this successful model and turning it on its head. It's time to use the Internet to tell candidates what parents want as they cast their votes. And we believe that ensuring our children have access to affordable health care will be a major issue in the upcoming elections, " Rosenberg stated.