Improving Foster Care for our Nation's Children

Ensuring Foster Children Have Access to Healthcare

In March of 2007, I introduced, H.R. 1376, a bill which would expand Medicaid coverage to children who age out of the foster care system. These children are at higher risk to suffer from a myriad of health and social problems.  The statistics are sobering: incidents of drug dependence are 7 times greater for foster children than the general public and more than half of foster care alumni ages 19 to 33 experience mental health problems including depression. Each year 25,000 foster children are emancipated; sixty-five percent of them without a place to live.   My bill would ensure that children who age out of the foster care system receive the necessary healthcare coverage to help address these pressing health and social ills. 

Press Release on H.R. 1376

See the bill as introduced

Recognizing May as National Foster Care Month

On Tuesday May 15, 2007-The House of Representatives passed a resolution authored by Congressman Cardoza recognizing May as National Foster Care Month and declaring the sense of the House of Representatives to improve the foster care system in the United States. H.Res. 263 was approved by unanimous consent.

“I have a very personal interest in this issue,” said Cardoza, who adopted two foster children seven years ago, and has advocated on behalf of adoption and foster children in the California Assembly and in Congress.  “This resolution, by highlighting attention on the problems in our foster care system, is a necessary first step.”

By declaring May National Foster Care Month the resolution recognizes the successes and failures of our current foster care system.  

Press Release on H.Res. 263

See the Resolution as Approved

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