In a video recorded at the White House last year, Dr. Beers talked about the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11.
Leading up to the new year, much of the attention in Washington was focused on the Build Back Better Act — comprehensive legislation that includes several policies impacting child health. Negotiations were ongoing at press time.
Looking beyond the fate of this bill and its implications for children and families, 2022 brings plenty of advocacy opportunities to move the needle on key priorities. Importantly, it also is a midterm election year, which often means lawmakers face a jam-packed agenda and shortened timeframe to advance their priorities before turning most of their attention to campaigning.
While predicting activity in Congress is a tall task, the Academy is tracking numerous legislative priorities with anticipated movement in the new year. Below is glimpse into three of the many issues on the AAP's radar.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) legislation
Every five years, Congress must consider legislation to reauthorize the FDA user fee programs, which help fund the review of medical products. While the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act and the Pediatric Research Equity Act were made permanent in 2012, this process presents the opportunity to improve pediatric drug and medical device laws and extend other programs that benefit children.
The AAP will be advocating to ensure all children, especially neonates and those with rare diseases, benefit from medications studied in and labeled for their use. The AAP also will be looking for ways to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in pediatric trials.
The legislation also offers the opportunity to increase the availability of innovative medical devices made specifically for children, particularly through reauthorization of the FDA’s Pediatric Device Consortia program.
Child welfare legislation
This year, Congress will reauthorize a major child welfare law, Title IV-B of the Social Security Act. The law includes grants focused on promoting child welfare, preventing child maltreatment and supporting families, as well as funding family preservation services. Congressional leaders also have indicated that this legislative process will offer the opportunity to consider ways to expand and improve on the AAP-championed Family First Prevention Services Act. The AAP's child welfare policy proposal issued last year outlines several opportunities for improvements through this reauthorization process.
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act also is up for reauthorization. It is the only federal law focused on preventing and responding to intra-familial child abuse. The AAP continues to advocate for inclusion of its priorities in the final legislation, including but not limited to a significant funding increase and expanded emphasis on primary prevention through improved support of families.
Mental health legislation
Interest has been growing on Capitol Hill to advance comprehensive legislation to address mental health. Last year, the AAP and its partners declared a national emergency for children's mental health and submitted its priorities to congressional leaders to address the mental health needs of children and adolescents.
Many mental health programs authorized as part of the 21st Century Cures Act, including the AAP-championed Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program, also are due to be reauthorized this year. As a result of AAP advocacy, more than 40 states, the District of Columbia, tribal organizations and territories have received a grant from HRSA to create or expand their programs. The AAP will be advocating for reauthorization of the program as well as expanded funding to allow schools and emergency departments to benefit from these important programs.
On the global level, the AAP is tracking the Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings (MINDS) Act, which will enhance mental health and psychosocial support within U.S. foreign assistance programs.
The AAP will be weighing in as Congress considers these and many other legislative priorities that affect the health of children and families. For the latest federal advocacy opportunities on the Academy's child health priorities, visit https://federaladvocacy.aap.org (AAP login required).
Advocacy victory: Funding for vaccine counseling in Medicaid
The Biden administration recently outlined a plan to continue the fight against COVID-19. One of its actions represented a major advocacy victory for the Academy: federal funding for vaccine counseling in Medicaid.
This funding has been a longstanding advocacy priority for the Academy. It will help to ensure that families can receive the guidance they need from a physician who knows their child and get their questions answered about vaccination.
Bipartisan infrastructure law includes wins for child health
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Congress passed with bipartisan support and President Joe Biden signed, invests $1.2 trillion in public works projects, including $550 billion in new federal spending.
The new law includes several provisions that represent AAP advocacy priorities and investments in communities that will benefit child health.
Children's environmental health is supported through several investments. In particular, the law includes $15 billion to replace lead service lines to prevent lead exposure in drinking water. The president has stated his goal to replace all lead service lines in the country, which the AAP supports, and this funding will help make that possible. Additionally, the law provides $2.5 billion to help school districts purchase zero-emissions school buses, which will reduce children’s exposure to pollution from diesel-powered school buses.
The law also provides $65 billion to improve high-speed internet access. This funding will be especially helpful for families in underserved and rural areas as it will expand equitable access to telehealth care, virtual schooling and other online services on which families rely.
Additionally, the law invests in infrastructure for tribes, the Indian Health Service and other American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities, which have faced historical inequities in their infrastructure.
The Academy looks forward to the law's implementation and ensuring its progress toward building and sustaining healthy communities.
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