CHA Applauds House Introduction of Crucial Children’s Health Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) applauds the House reintroduction of the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act (H.R. 1509), a bipartisan bill focused on addressing delays in access to critical out-of-state care for children, many of whom have complex health care needs and rely on Medicaid. This legislation, led by Representatives Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), aims to streamline the Medicaid provider enrollment process, significantly improving access to specialized out-of-state care for children with rare diseases and complex medical conditions.

“Children with complex medical conditions frequently travel to different states to get the highly specialized care they need at our nation’s children’s hospitals. Far too often, these children face unnecessary, bureaucratic delays when seeking care across state lines,” said Matthew Cook, president and CEO of CHA. “This bipartisan legislation is a critical step toward removing these barriers, ensuring children covered by Medicaid get the timely, lifesaving care they need. We thank Representatives Trahan and Miller-Meeks for their leadership and look forward to working with Congress to get this bill passed.”

Medicaid offers essential health care coverage to 37 million children, serving almost half of all U.S. children with special health care needs, nearly three million children in military-connected families, and almost half of the children living in small towns and rural areas. Children with Medicaid seeking specialized treatment outside their home state — especially those battling cancer or rare diseases — frequently experience treatment delays resulting from complex provider enrollment requirements. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act simplifies Medicaid provider enrollment processes to help young patients with rare conditions receive specialized care when they need it most.

“The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act is a great first step in ensuring our Medicaid system best supports the 37 million children who rely on it,” Cook said. “However, Congress must take further action to ensure Medicaid is protected from policies and cuts that would have devastating effects on the children and families that rely on it for access to care.”