Reichert Applauds Passage of Emergency Medical Services for Children Measure He Championed
Apr 9, 2008 Issues: Children's Health Care Caucus, Healthcare
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) today applauded the passage of a bill he championed to expand and improve emergency care for children who need treatment for life-threatening illnesses or injuries. H.R. 2464, the Wakefield Act, reauthorizes the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) grant program that helps states and medical institutions buy pediatric equipment for hospitals, test best practices, and improve standards of emergency care for children.
As the founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Children’s Health Care Caucus, Reichert successfully passed an amendment increasing funding for the EMSC program by $2.5 million in last year’s Health and Human Services spending bill. His caucus also sponsored briefings on the program and helped secure the bipartisan support of more than 70 Members for the reauthorization.
“We must remember that the illnesses and injuries that bring children into the emergency room vary significantly from those that affect adults, and our hospitals and first responders must be well-equipped to provide proper treatment,” said Reichert. “The Emergency Medical Services for Children program provides vital support to help them do so. I have been a tireless advocate for this essential program because I understand its importance to emergency preparedness and quality trauma care for our children.”
Reichert continued, “I was proud to work with Representatives Jim Matheson (D-UT), Peter King (R-NY), and Kathy Castor (D-FL) to advocate for the passage of this important measure. I hope that the Senate will follow our lead, pass this bill, and swiftly send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”
H.R. 2464 passed the House by a broad bipartisan vote of 390-1.
Although children account for 30 million annual visits to the emergency room – more than a quarter of all visits – many hospitals and trauma centers are not adequately prepared to handle these patients. A recent Center for Disease Control study found that only 6% of all U.S. emergency departments have all of the supplies necessary for handling pediatric emergencies.
