Senate Bill Fails to Address Children's Health Care Needs

Senate Bill Fails to Address Children's Health Care Needs, Says AAP
To: National Desk, Health Care
Reporter Contact: Marjorie Tharp or Sherry Llewellyn, 800-336-5475, both of the American Academy of Pediatrics

WASHINGTON, July 16 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) expressed disappointment and frustration today that the U.S. Senate identified the profits of big business as a higher priority than the health care needs of children by passing an ineffective managed care bill.

"It is essential that our lawmakers pass legislation that addresses quality care and specialty services for children in managed care plans," said AAP President Joel J. Alpert, M.D. "Children have health and developmental needs that are markedly different from adults. As a result, children enrolled in managed care plans should have access to the specific services they need."

As the debate moves to the House of Representatives, the AAP urges members of Congress to pass legislation to ensure that managed care plans provide care that is appropriate for the needs of children, such as:

-- Access to pediatric specialists All young people must have access to pediatric specialists who are specifically trained to diagnose and treat children.

-- Guaranteed choice of pediatricians as primary care providers Families must be able to choose pediatricians as the primary care providers for their children.

In passing this managed care bill, the Senate missed an opportunity to improve the quality of health care services for children in managed care plans. Pediatricians encourage the House to focus on this important population and include language that specifically addresses the needs of children.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 55,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical subspecialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of the nation's infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

-0- /U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ 07/16 13:43

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