Comprehensive Health Care Reform: We urge Congress to pass comprehensive health care reform that will guarantee quality, affordable health care for all. We support a mandate to ensure all Americans are covered and legislation that would prevent insurers from denying coverage to customers with pre-existing conditions. We also support an increase in taxes on the wealthiest Americans and sin taxes on unhealthy foods to help pay for the cost of the increased coverage. We support a public option to encourage competition and lower costs.

School-based Health Care: We urge Congress to expand school-based health care clinics because students perform better when they show up for class, healthy and ready to learn. We believe it is a common sense cost effective approach to offer care for the health of the student in the same building where we care for their mind. We know if our schools offered health care services, more students would get the care they need and would be able to concentrate on their studies, lowering disciplinary problems and increasing academic success.

Increase Access: Congress should increase funding for community health centers which provide easier access for many families around the country at a lower price point. An increase in the capacity of health centers would provide a culturally competent outreach method for preventative and essential care. Congress should also expand access to care by phone and internet services for routine health care needs to reduce unnecessary office visits.

Focus on Preventative Care: Congress should invest heavily in preventative health care, which, if implemented properly, is more cost effective than fee-for-service plans. We believe that a major emphasis on preventative care through media campaigns, workplaces and schools, could save billions of dollars in higher cost chronic care down the line.

Coverage of Immigrants: We believe children, regardless of immigration status, should be covered by health insurance as long as they are enrolled in school. We also believe legal immigrants should have the same access to health care as other American citizens without special restrictions based upon their time within the United States.

Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs: Congress should regulate the price of patented prescription drugs. Individuals who are in need of essential prescription medication should not go without because of the cost. Congress should set two pricing tiers; one that sets a maximum price manufacturers may charge for a prescription drug and another that provides a discounted pricing structure for low income families, the elderly, handicapped and chronically ill.

Nutritional Instruction: Congress should create a public awareness campaign to inform Americans about healthier eating habits. We believe that all restaurants and school cafeterias should display mandatory calorie and nutrition facts that are visible and accessible to the consumer. Schools should offer a year long course on nutrition and health. We know that a healthy and knowledgeable brain leads to a healthy body.

Increase Physical Activity:Congress should provide incentives to schools to expand physical education classes and keep school gyms open longer. Because obesity increases with the amount of hours spent watching TV and playing video games; TV shows and game manufactures should receive a seal of approval from the government if they alter their content to encourage physical activity. Likewise, businesses could receive a seal of approval if they provided exercise options for their staff. Congress should consider subsidizing gym membership for low income Americans.

Healthier Options in our Lunchrooms: Congress should pass legislation that ensures that all schools provide healthy, affordable and high quality options in their cafeterias. With a limited time to eat and easy access to unhealthy products, we often fall victim to eating the most readily available option which is often the least healthy. Schools should be incentivized to promote healthier choices instead of junk food.

Peer-to-Peer Programs: Congress should create a pilot to develop peer-to-peer health care programs that are taught by fellow students with the goal of harnessing peer pressure to encourage healthy lifestyles. Several studies have shown that peer-to-peer instruction is an effective method to counter drug use, poor nutrition and lack of exercise. Peer-to-peer programs would have the buy-in from youth who are inspired to lead healthy and positive lives while being able to speak to the language of their peers to join them.