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Support Extending Medicaid to Youth Leaving Foster Care
April 3, 2007
The Honorable Dennis Cardoza
U.S. House of Representatives
435 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative Cardoza:
The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) representing public and private child-serving member agencies across the country endorses HR 1376, Medicaid Foster Care Coverage Act of 2007.
This bill addresses a critical issue for young people leaving foster care, lack of health insurance. Given the high rates of physical and mental health problems extensively documented among children and youth in foster care, access to health services is a critical factor as young people transition to adulthood. While some states have taken the option to extend Medicaid coverage to age 21, we agree with the growing number of advocates that the best way to assure this coverage is simply to require Medicaid coverage for these former foster youth.
CWLA joins with you in recognizing the need to better protect our nation's youth who leave care and looks forward to working with you as Congress takes action on your proposed legislation.
Sincerely,
Linda S. Spears
Acting Senior Vice president, Operations
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