The Academy is partnering with the National Association of Children's Hospitals, March of Dimes, Children's Health Fund, First Focus and Children's Defense Fund in Speak Now for Kids in Health Reform, an exciting new national online campaign designed to compel individuals, family members and providers across the country to tell Congress and the Obama Administration what children need in health care reform.
Throughout the month of May, you can sign on to www.SpeakNowForKids.org and let your voice be heard!
On this Web site, pediatricians and the families they care for will be able to submit health care stories, photos or video messages and tell legislators their priorities for reforming health care for children. The Web site will not only allow health care stories to be captured in words, pictures and video, but will also allow congressional staff to read and see what constituents in their districts are thinking and saying about children and health care reform. Visitors will also be able to print out district-specific reports to deliver to their legislators.
TIME IS SHORT – Congress is beginning to draft its health care reform legislation and we need your voice to be heard. To assist you, the Department of Federal Affairs has also put together informational sheets explaining the Academy's health reform priorities.
Throughout the campaign, there are many ways you can get involved in the health reform discussion and generate grassroots support:
- Of course, log on to www.SpeakNowForKids.org and share your story!
- Send a system-wide request to your staff, colleagues, boards, volunteers, medical school affiliates, and community partners asking them to share their stories about how important it is that the children in your community have access to the right care, in the right place at the right time.
- Post the Speak Now for Kids campaign web button on your office's home page or Facebook page. A Web button will be provided from AAP upon request.
- If you have a computer at your practice, set one up in your lobby or waiting room to allow colleagues and patients immediate access to take part in the campaign.
- Post the Speak Now for Kids flyer in your office or around town to spread the word.
- Do you have a spare video camera? Provide a video advocacy opportunity by making a video camera available for patients and colleagues to record messages on the importance of children's health care and easily upload their messages to the campaign site.
- Provide information to your colleagues through your internal communications such as newsletters, intranet and e-mail.
- Share information with outside organizations, advisory groups and other support groups and encourage their involvement in this important campaign.
- Send a Letter to the Editor about the campaign explaining why you are involved in Speak Now for Kids and discuss why children's needs must be included in health care reform. AAP can provide a sample letter for you upon request.
- Mention Speak Now for Kids on any upcoming print or broadcast interviews you may have scheduled.
And, remember to log on to 
