Universal Health Care for NC Kids

    -Laura from Charlotte
    Submitted online via the Richard Moore health insurance petition

Laura's story is the story of our failed health care system. No parent who struggles to provide for her family should be forced to forego needed medical care or make heart-wrenching decisions between putting food on the table and paying outrageous insurance premiums.

This morning, I delivered a major health care policy speech before the AFL-CIO where I called for universal health care coverage for our children. I am proud to be the first North Carolina gubernatorial candidate to put forward a health care plan.

We need Washington to be our partner in this initiative. But unfortunately, at the same time I was giving my speech today, President Bush called a press conference where he defended his actions to obstruct efforts to insure more children.

Watch the difference between my fresh approach and more of the same:

Not only is insuring every child the right thing to do, it is also one of the best investments we can make. Children with health care coverage are more likely to get needed preventive care and have health problems detected and treated earlier in life. Preventable and treatable adolescent health conditions such as obesity become more serious and expensive conditions such as diabetes later in life. Children without health care coverage are sick more often and miss more school. The proposal I outlined this morning will expand coverage to low-income families, simplify the enrollment process, and incentivize parents and public institutions to enroll children.

The fresh approach I am talking about will not be easy, but we cannot be afraid of change. We cannot be afraid to do things differently. We have tremendous potential in North Carolina, and I intend to see that we fulfill it.