Nancy Goodman, Founder and CEO of KIDS V CANCER, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Dear friends and family,
Tonight, the Senate took up the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act. I wish I could tell you that it had a good outcome.
Senator Cassidy promised to address a priority of Senator Sanders, the community health centers, and pass it in 2026.
Senator Hassan asked Senator Sanders to support passage of the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act because everyone supports it, and because Senator Sanders’ priority list is just too expensive and has no identified pay-for to offset its costs.
A vote was taken. Senator Sanders voted ‘Nay,’ blocking passage.
Senator Sanders said he was not satisfied with Senator Cassidy’s offer. He asked for the CHC provision and every other provision of the healthcare package that was struck in December 2024 to be passed today as an amendment to the Give Kids a Chance Act.
Another vote was taken. Senator Mullin voted ‘Nay,’ blocking passage.
There can be more votes in the future. But this is worrisome.
Why doesn’t our bill deserve Senator Sanders’ support? Why don’t our kids deserve care? What does it mean to take-one-for-the-team when Jacob has already died? What else can be asked of us?”