Speak Out
Improving education, income, and health requires changes in public policy. LIVE UNITED is not about Democrat vs. Republican; it’s about understanding our nation’s crises and coming together to solve them.
READ ABOUT UNITED WAY'S NATIONAL PUBLIC POLICY WORK
EDUCATION
Research shows preschool-age years are critical for cognitive and social development, laying a foundation for success in college, work and life. To effectively reduce the high school dropout rate, we must begin by improving access to quality and affordable child care and early childhood education.
Funding for child care, Head Start, and Early Head Start is at immediate risk for deep budget cuts. With your help, we can show a broad base of national, state, and local support for investments in early childhood.
CONTACT CONGRESS TODAY IN SUPPORT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
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INCOME
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers tax help, free of charge, to middle and low-income individuals and married couples. VITA helps ensure financial stability by maximizing use of existing tax code benefits and incentives, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. Certified volunteers sponsored by various nonprofit groups, including 250 local United Ways, are trained to prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country.
Legislation establishing a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Program (VITA grant program) is expected to be re-introduced in the 112th Congress. Join the United Way’s efforts to advocate for passage of the bill.
CONTACT CONGRESS TODAY IN SUPPORT OF TAX ASSISTANCE FOR MIDDLE AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
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HEALTH
In order to ensure that children lead healthy lives, access to health care is absolutely critical. Health coverage not only helps to remove barriers to care, but it also improves overall health outcomes, and should therefore be comprehensive. As a result, Congress created the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in 1997 with strong bipartisan support to provide health insurance for low-income children who are not eligible for Medicaid.
CHIP was recently reauthorized with a significant increase in funding. Shortly thereafter, Congress extended this highly successful program and included funding for an additional two years. To further improve access to health coverage, the federal government banned the denial of insurance coverage to children based on pre-existing conditions and allowed children to stay on their parents’ plans until they turn 26 years old.
With congressional debate heating-up around the deficit and potential changes to our current health laws, we are asking you to join us in contacting your Members of Congress to urge them not to compromise on the health of our children.
CONTACT CONGRESS TODAY TO PROTECT CHILDREN’S HEALTH COVERAGE
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NONPROFIT STRENGTHENING
The ability of donors to deduct contributions to charity from their taxes is a cornerstone of the success of America’s charitable tradition. One of United Way’s top public policy priorities is to preserve the deduction so we can continue to fund and provide services for families and individuals in need.
The current deep economic recession is causing reductions in private giving to United Way and agencies that rely on United Way support. Limitations on charitable giving tax incentives would further reduce charitable contributions. Join the United Way’s efforts to ensure that Congress and the Administration recognize the importance that charitable deduction plays in enabling charities to meet the demand for critical community-based services.
CONTACT CONGRESS TODAY TO PROTECT CHARITABLE GIVING INCENTIVES
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