• Whereas, the Fraternal Order of Eagles is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization with nearly one-million individual members in more than 1,500 local Aeries across the United States;
• Whereas, the Eagles motto is “People Helping People,” and many of the Eagles’ charitable activities at the local and national level involve both assistance to children and health-related activities;
• Whereas, since 1944 the Eagles have operated the Eagles Memorial Foundation which provides health benefits to children of Eagle members who die while serving their country or at work, including payments to physicians, dentists, orthodontists, and hospitals and the cost of  eyeglasses, prescriptions, and medical and dental devices;
• Whereas, in 2005, 8.3 million American children under the age of 18 – about 11.3% of all American children – lacked health insurance coverage;
• Whereas, children without health insurance are less likely to be up to date on immunizations, to receive treatment for sore throat, ear ache, and other common childhood illnesses, or to have a regular doctor;
• Whereas, children with health coverage tend to have fewer school absences;
• Whereas, universal access to health insurance coverage is fundamental to ensuring that all children receive basic health services and lead full and healthy lives.

Therefore, it is resolved that the Fraternal Order of Eagles:

• Believe that every American child should have access to quality health insurance coverage;
• Encourage the President, leaders in the United States Congress, and others to take action to ensure that all American children have access to quality health insurance coverage;
• Support enactment of laws and policies that will expand access to health insurance for American children with an emphasis on initiatives that would make quality health insurance coverage accessible to all American children; and
• Will actively advocate for laws and policies that make available quality health insurance coverage to all American children.