Children's Hospital Association (CHA) sent a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee urging the committee to prioritize children’s physical and mental health needs in its markup of S. 2333, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act (PAHPA). S. 2333 reauthorizes key programs in the nation’s pandemic and disaster preparedness and response framework.
The letter calls on Congress to target resources to meet pediatric health care needs by:
- Bolstering timely access to pediatric medical supplies and countermeasures during a public health emergency.
- Strengthening pediatric workforce capabilities to meet critical pandemic and disaster-related needs.
- Continuing and strengthening the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters.