Children develop so quickly. Their bodies require optimal level of nutrition to allow them to reach their maximum potential both mentally and physically. But study after study shows that the children today are not getting enough of the nutrients they need in their diet.
Research data tells us that average kids just don't eat enough of the things they need to get the proper balance of vitamins, minerals, protein and other nutrients. More often than not their diets are high in fats, sugar, artificial colors and preservatives, but low in all important fruits and vegetables.
Why are fruits and vegetables so critical? Because they are the main sources of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other plant nutrients vital for optimal health.
Essential nutrients commonly lacking such as vitamin A, beta carotene, zinc and B vitamins are critical for children because they are required for proper development of the brain, immune system, bones and vision.

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The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) brought priorities to health insurance for children through federal reauthorization, and our Governor is likely to sign a bill in which funding for the Healthy Families program is restored. However, there remain millions of children living uninsured. Therefore, it is neccessary that the members of Congress and the President put their responsibility to finish the job of providing coverage for all our kids as first priority.
 
In negotiating the components of the final health reform package, members of Congress need to address the following principles:
1. Universal Children's Coverage Currently, six million children are eligible but not enrolled in public coverage programs nationally.  Eliminating red tape and bureaucracy by simplifying the enrollment process is the most cost-effective, quickest, smartest and most cost-effective initial step toward ensuring that the lowest-income kids are insured.  Any heal... [more]

Children with asthma, and other pre-existing health problems, have long been discriminated against when it comes to receiving adequate health insurance coverage. Lack of Florida health insurance among children has been well documented along with dire consequences.
That problem has been specifically addressed in health care reform. Unfortunately, confusion over changes to health care in the U.S. continue, including debate over how health insurers may treat children with pre-existing health problems like asthma.
What Does Health Care Reform Do For Children With Asthma?
As the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius may have the last word on this subject. In March of 2010, Sebelius directly addressed the issue in a letter to America's Health Insurance Plans. After noting that the media had reported that certain insurance companies hoped to find ways around the section of the new law that specifically prohibited insurers from excluding children with pre-... [more]