The following is a message from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
As a health care sector lead for the Protecting Immigrant Families, Advancing Our Future campaign, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is taking part in advocacy efforts to oppose the administration’s public charge proposal. The campaign is hosting several weeks of action focusing on specific areas of the proposal. This week’s theme is Children and Education.
To assist with these efforts, the AAP recently created a Public Charge Advocacy Toolkit for Partners. The toolkit contains key messages, resources and information to equip you with what you need to be an effective voice for children at a crucial, consequential moment. The more advocates speaking up with a unified voice this week, the stronger our overall message.
In addition, the campaign is hosting a Twitter storm on Wednesday, October 24 at 1 p.m. ET around the theme of children and education. The hashtag the campaign will be using is #ProtectFamilies. Below are a few sample social media posts to customize and share from your organization.
Some possible engagement tweets:
- As a child health advocate in Wisconsin, I oppose the public charge rule that would force immigrant families to choose between accessing vital health and nutrition services and staying together in this country. #ProtectFamilies
- Healthy children, supported by healthy families, can reach their full potential. The new public charge rule—which includes health care, housing and food assistance programs—puts the health of millions of children and families at risk. #ProtectFamilies
- There are more than 530,000 children on Medicaid in my state of Wisconsin. The new public charge rule could mean they lose access to healthcare. #ProtectFamilies, oppose public charge.
- Like all children, children in immigrant families benefit when they have access to programs and services that promote their development. The new public charge rule could restrict their access and harm their health. #ProtectFamilies, oppose public charge.
- We all benefit when children have access to nutritious food, health care and a safe home to help them stay healthy and thrive. Submit a comment opposing the proposed public charge rule which would threaten immigrant children’s health: http://bit.ly/submitcomment #ProtectFamilies
- The proposed public charge rule threatens the financial stability of millions of families, could lead to more uninsured individuals, and hinder children’s growth and development. Take action to #ProtectFamilies and oppose the rule: http://bit.ly/submitcomment
- The proposed public charge rule will undermine immigrant families’ ability to access SNAP. No parent should have to choose between putting food on the table and keeping their family together. #ProtectFamilies
- Every $5 in SNAP benefits generates $9 of economic activity. By targeting SNAP, the proposed public charge rule puts our nation’s children and economy at risk. Submit a comment to #ProtectFamilies: http://bit.ly/submitcomment
- The proposed public charge rule make it harder for immigrant families to afford safe housing and other basic necessities. Submit a comment to oppose the rule and #ProtectFamilies:http://bit.ly/submitcomment
- Immigrant households in the U.S. face unique structural and cultural barriers to economic security, increasing their children’s risk of poverty. The proposed public charge rule will exacerbate that disparity and harm child health. #ProtectFamilies