Child Health Day, 2014

Proclamation 9186 of October 3, 2014

Child Health Day, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

All children deserve equal opportunities to realize
their potential and reach their dreams. Securing this
promise for our daughters and sons begins with ensuring
their health and well-being. As we pause on Child
Health Day to reflect on this profound obligation, let
us recommit to fostering a society where there are no
limits to what our Nation's young people can achieve.

The Affordable Care Act supports children's health not
only by expanding access to quality, affordable health
insurance for millions of Americans, but also by
guaranteeing that most health plans cover recommended
preventive services for children without copays,
including immunizations and developmental screenings.
Millions of children are already benefiting from this
care, and even more will be protected in the years to
come. As kids grow, the Affordable Care Act continues
to support their health by prohibiting insurance
companies from denying coverage to children with pre-
existing conditions and allowing young adults to stay
on a parent's health insurance plan until age 26. This
builds on the successes of Medicaid and the Children's
Health Insurance Program, which have significantly
reduced the percentage of uninsured children.

When more than one-third of American children and
adolescents are overweight or obese, expanding access
to nutritious foods and opportunities for physical
activity is an urgent health issue. Working with both
the public and private sectors, First Lady Michelle
Obama's Let's Move! initiative is making it easier for
parents and children to make healthy choices that put
kids on the path to a bright future during their
earliest months and years.

As a Nation, we have an obligation to invest in the
health of future generations by protecting our planet
and our environment. In the past 30 years, asthma rates
have doubled, and as air pollution gets worse, more
kids will suffer. Clean air and water are essential to
the well-being of our children and grandchildren, and
we must work today to secure their tomorrow. My
Administration has taken action and will continue to
pursue policies that reduce harmful air pollution,
improve water quality, and protect communities from
toxic chemical exposures.

When young Americans have the opportunity to live
healthy and safe lives, they are free to pursue their
full measure of happiness. Today, we continue our work
to support our children's health and build a Nation
where all our daughters and sons can thrive.

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 18,
1928, as amended (36 U.S.C. 105), has called for the
designation of the first Monday in October as Child
Health Day and has requested that the President issue a
proclamation in observance of this day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday,
October 6, 2014, as Child Health Day. I call upon
families, educators, child health professionals, faith-
based and community organizations, and all levels of
government to help ensure America's children are
healthy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
third day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.