AAP-Endorsed Legislation
The following is a list of additional federal legislation endorsed by the Academy. Check back often for updates, or contact the AAP Department of Federal Affairs with questions -- (800) 336-5475, or kids1st@aap.org.
MediKids: The MediKids Health Insurance Act of 2007 (H.R. 2357) was introduced by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA-13) on May 17, 2007. Endorsed by the Academy, MediKids is a bill that envisions a health care system that would achieve the Academy’s goal of health insurance for all children regardless of family income. Under MediKids, parents retain the choice to enroll their children in private plans or government programs such as Medicaid or SCHIP. However, if a lapse in other insurance coverage occurs, MediKids automatically fills in the gap. MediKids also follows children across state lines when families move, and provides care when families climbing out of poverty become ineligible for means-tested programs. Children would become eligible at birth and remain eligible for care until age 23.
BPCA and PREA: The Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) gives the FDA the authority to require pediatric drug studies when the use for children would be the same as in adults. The Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) provides a voluntary incentive to drug manufacturers of an additional six months of marketing exclusivity for conducting pediatric studies of drugs that the FDA determines may be useful to children. Both BPCA and PREA will expire on October 1, 2007 unless reauthorized by Congress. The Academy strongly supports the renewal of these critical pieces of legislation.
The Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act: The “Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act of 2007” (S. 830/H.R. 1494) will offer incentives to manufacturers to create medical devices designed specifically for children. It will also give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to require post-market studies of approved pediatric devices to ensure their continued efficacy and safety.
- Take Action!
- The Legislation
- The Need for Children's Medical Devices Fact Sheet
- AAP Press Release on the Pediatric Medical Device Safety and Improvement Act
EMSC Reauthorization: The AAP-endorsed Wakefield Act of 2007 (S. 60/H.R. 2464) will reauthorize the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program for five years. Created in 1984, EMSC is the only federal program devoted to improving emergency care for children. The program has driven fundamental changes in America's emergency medical system and brought vital resources and attention to a neglected population. In the 22 years since it was established, child injury death rates have dropped 40 percent.
- Take Action!
- The Legislation
- AAP Press Statement on the Introduction of Legislation Reauthorizing EMSC
Mental Health Parity Act: Mental health parity legislation was introduced in the winter of 2007 (S. 558/H.R. 1424). The bill, which is supported by the Academy, would require businesses that offer mental health insurance to provide equal coverage for both physical and mental health services. Unlike previous mental health parity legislation, this bill would require parity in co-payments, deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses, and covered hospital days and outpatient visits. Coverage for substance abuse is also included.
Businesses with less than 50 employees would be exempt from the requirement. Employers can opt-out if the requirement would increase their health care costs by over 2% the first year or over 1% for subsequent years. These figures are based on past estimates by the Congressional Budget Office, which predicted a less than 1% cost increase to employers as a result of this legislation.
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act: On January 11, 2007, the House voted 253-174 to approve H.R. 3, the “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007,” as part of the Democrats’ “100 hours” legislative priorities proposal. The legislation would expand the number of stem cell lines that are eligible for federal funding and allow federal funding for research using stem cells derived from embryos originally created for fertility treatments and willingly donated by patients. Currently, federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is allowed only for research using embryonic stem cell lines created on or before August 9, 2001, under a policy announced by President Bush on that date.
H.R. 3 is the same bill President Bush vetoed in July 2006, the “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005,” (H.R. 810). The President has repeatedly vowed to veto the legislation again should it reach his desk.
FDA Regulation of Tobacco: The “Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2007” (S. 625/H.R. 1108), introduced Feb. 20 and passed in the , would grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate both current and new tobacco products and restrict tobacco product marketing. The legislation further restricts the marketing and selling of tobacco products to children by banning such tactics as cartoon advertisements, free tobacco-themed merchandise that appeals to children, and sponsorship of sports and entertainment events. Candy-flavored cigarettes, often used a starter products for young new smokers, will also be banned.
The legislation would also require that those tobacco products marketed as “safer” than other products are in fact demonstrated to the FDA to be safer, and ban the use on labels or in advertising of terms such as “light,” “mild,” or “low.” In addition, H.R. 1108 requires larger, more specific health warnings on tobacco product packages and advertisements, as well the disclosure of tobacco product contents, changes to the products and research about the health effects of the products.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee approved the legislation 13-8 Aug. 1. The House has not yet acted on the legislation.
The Health CARES Network: The Health Child Abuse Research, Education, and Services (CARES) Network will consist of regional consortia, each comprising multiple institutions that bring together expertise in health care research, training, and service to prevent, identify, and treat child abuse. The network’s purpose is to fulfill measurable goals for increasing the workforce; fostering systematic development of evidence-based prevention, identification, and treatment; and incorporating these advances into health care delivery for all children.
- More information on the Health CARES Network from the AAP
