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20 million American children do not have the health care or access they need and deserve. Of these 20 million children, 9 million do not have health insurance. Others face serious barriers to health care ranging from a lack of doctors in impoverished communities to limited transportation to medical providers.
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About CHF (7:32)
Because millions of children in America aren't getting the health care they need, the Children's Health Fund (CHF) is committed to providing health care to the nation's most medically under-served children and their families through the development and support of innovative medical programs, response to public health crises, and the promotion of guaranteed access to appropriate health care for all children.
Founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon, and pediatrician/advocate Irwin Redlener, MD, the CHF's health projects have provided more than 1.6 million patient visits. CHF partners with major academic medical centers to deliver health care to disadvantaged children and families, via state-of-the-art mobile medical unites, in both rural and urban areas across the country.
Today, The Children’s Health Fund has 21 Projects in 13 states and the District of Columbia. These programs are linked by a common mission: to provide high-quality health care services to low-income and homeless children.
Designed to bring medical care directly to children in medically underserved communities, CHF’s Projects provide comprehensive services to more than 50,000 patients a year. Because we cannot reach directly every child who needs access to health care, CHF works with organizations across the nation to build programs and policies with the goal of eventually linking every child to a doctor and a medical home.
Through national public awareness campaigns and an active presence in our nation's capitol, CHF brings to the attention of policy makers and the public the right of every child to comprehensive and continuous health care – known as a medical home.
Until all children have a medical home, CHF is committed to advocating on their behalf in Washington – and throughout the nation.
What your donation* can do for a child in need:
Vision Screening, including Glasses—$25
Covers vision screening materials, as well corrective glasses fittings. Bad vision, left untreated, can result in poor school performance and loss of self esteem. Early detection greatly increases successful treatments and normal vision development.
Nutritionist—$50 per visit
Nutritionists help prevent childhood obesity and Type II diabetes by sharing strategies and tools that patients and families can realistically use to lead healthier lifestyles.
Referral Management Specialist —$50
Coordinators help navigate a complicated and overcrowded health care system by overcoming language barriers, finding transportation, and helping to get priority appointments, ensuring that children and their families see specialists for critical medical and mental health care services.
Asthma Inhaler—$75
This device treats asthma symptoms and helps a child manage the disease. Regular treatment prevents unnecessary emergency room and hospital visits.
Pediatrician—$100 per visit
Providers assess development and growth, looking for warning signs of possibly illnesses or diseases. Each child, on average, needs ten well-child visits in his or her first two years of life.
Immunizations—$250
Immunize 30 children for Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella. Vaccinations help prevent children and others from contracting preventable diseases.
*Each donation represents a contribution to the entire mission of CHF. Donations will be used where needed most to help medically underserved children and their families.
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