WASHINGTON, DC – Today, more than 350 national and state based organizations from across the country joined together to urge key Senators to remember the special needs of children as they begin to debate national health reform. In a letter to the Senate Committee on Finance, the organizations pressed Members to specifically address the unique health care needs of America’s children during negotiations on health reform legislation.
“After more than 20 years of efforts, our nation now stands at the brink of national health reform. However, enactment into law will not be easy, as a myriad of complex issues must be considered and addressed, none of which are more important than our children. Children have special and complex health care needs of which special attention must be given to ensure their healthy development. Indeed, they must not be forgotten during this important reform effort,” said Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus, the children’s advocacy organization that spearheaded the letter. “The broad cross-section of organizations that have added their voices to this cause is indicative of the widespread national support for ensuring that every American child has access to quality, affordable health insurance that meets their specific needs.”
Specifically, the coalition of 356 organizations urged Finance Chairman and Ranking Member, Senators Max Baucus and Charles Grassley, to ensure children’s developmental needs are not an afterthought in any attempts at large-scale system reform. The letter was signed by a variety of organizations, including First Focus, the National Association of Children’s Hospitals, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Children’s Health Fund.
“Children are not just little adults. Their development is complex and their health care needs differ greatly from those of adults. As Congress embarks on health reform, it is important to remember children are not only our most precious national resource, they also represent one-third of the nation’s non-Medicare population. The sad reality is that when it comes to large-scale system reform, too often, children are an afterthought. As your committee undertakes the task of reviewing and rethinking our nation’s health care delivery systems, we urge you to ensure that the specific health concerns of children are taken into account as new policies are being developed,” the letter reads.
The letter arrived as Senators commence the opening rounds of negotiations on comprehensive health reform. Catholic Charities USA, Alliance for Children and Families, Child Welfare League of America, Easter Seals, Families USA, and the National Child Abuse Coalition are among some of the other national organizations who signed the letter.