Extension would shield children’s health insurance, food security
First Focus on Children is pleased to be among 16 national organizations representing the public health community, millions of patients, and health care providers, who today urged Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to maintain the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency until it is clear that the global pandemic has receded and the capabilities authorized by the PHE are no longer necessary. This extension will help prevent any future surges from threatening the health and safety of patients, including children, and the ability of health care professionals to care for them. See the letter for more details.
The end of the PHE also could trigger a loss of Medicaid coverage for at least 6.7 million children, who are at considerable risk for becoming uninsured. Emergency benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and school lunch provisions also will expire, creating a “hunger cliff” that will likely push millions of children into hunger and food insecurity.