President's Message, April 2021
Trude Haecker, MD, FAAP
APRIL ADVOCACY
Earlier this month, the AAP hosted its annual Advocacy Conference, formerly known as the “AAP Legislative Conference.” With over 700 virtual attendees from across the nation, the event provided our PA delegation a wonderful opportunity to learn about federal advocacy. The first half of the three-day Conference was spent listening to policy experts on the mechanics of advocacy and learning about the substance of House Bill 2347. We received inspirational guidance from AAP President Dr. Lee Beers, Rep. Kim Schreier and former Georgia state legislator Stacy Abrams who taught us to “Educate, Advocate and Agitate” when advocating on behalf of an issue. The 31 members of the PA delegation included pediatricians— from private practice and academic health systems and in various stages of their career, including medical students and residents—from across the state. By the third and final day, our delegates were ready to engage with our Pennsylvania legislators.
The objective of each legislative meeting was to secure a commitment from the legislator’s office to co-sponsor or sign onto the Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act- HB 2347. With bipartisan support, the Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act was proposed by four Representatives, including Rep. Kim Schreier, the first pediatrician to serve in the House, and Rep. John Joyce, a physician from Pennsylvania’s 13th District (Blair County, PA )The bill is designed to strengthen the existing Vaccines for Children (VFC) program by expanding VFC eligibility to cover all Medicaid and CHIP eligible children, incentivizing provider participation by alleviating operational burdens, tracking immunizations to identify disparities, and more. It is especially gratifying to have PA's Dr. Joyce shepherding such an important piece of legislation for children.
On the final day, our delegation met with the legislators. The day began with a meeting with Senator Casey himself. Our conversation with Senator Casey was terrific; he seemed to completely understand the importance of the bill and mentioned his willingness to co-sponsor the bill when it arrives in the Senate. Though we were not able to meet with Senator Toomey directly, a legislative fellow out of his office joined our meeting and committed to share our information with the Senator and enlist his support. After adjourning from Senator Toomey’s meeting, each delegate branched off to connect with their District Representative’s office. Our team was able to meet with 11 out of PA’s 18 district offices.
What a great day, despite not being in Washington D.C. to experience the Capital’s vibrant energy. As the lead delegate, I was so grateful for the opportunity to showcase PA AAP ’s talented pediatricians. To all those who participated, thank you; your poise, expertise, and dedication to our state’s children was evident. I was so inspired by our members articulating their commitment to VFC improvements in such a succinct, eloquent manner. I hope we can harness that energy for Pennsylvania's specific advocacy initiatives. There is no group better equipped to advocate for PA’s children than our 2,300 members.
I know what a difficult year 2020 was and we continue to wrestle with the pandemic even in April of 2021, but I want to challenge each of you to think more broadly on behalf of the children we see every day whether in an office, hospital or newborn nursery. We need to fight for the potential of every child every day. Please join us for the virtual PA AAP State Advocacy Day on Monday May 24th from 9am -3pm where we will be tackling the issue of pediatric mental health. Each of us are seeing the tremendously devastating effects of the pandemic on children due to isolation and lack of access to school, activities, friends, and family. Please consider taking a few hours of your day to join the Advocacy Committee Co-chairs: Will Keough, MD and Gabe Cisneros, MD to engage with our state legislators on improving access to children’s mental health services in the state. Register here today.
As always, it is my honor to work with so many amazing pediatricians. Thank you for all you do every day for the children of Pennsylvania.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me at haecker@chop.edu or Annette Myarick amyarick@paaap.org.
Sincerely,
Earlier this month, the AAP hosted its annual Advocacy Conference, formerly known as the “AAP Legislative Conference.” With over 700 virtual attendees from across the nation, the event provided our PA delegation a wonderful opportunity to learn about federal advocacy. The first half of the three-day Conference was spent listening to policy experts on the mechanics of advocacy and learning about the substance of House Bill 2347. We received inspirational guidance from AAP President Dr. Lee Beers, Rep. Kim Schreier and former Georgia state legislator Stacy Abrams who taught us to “Educate, Advocate and Agitate” when advocating on behalf of an issue. The 31 members of the PA delegation included pediatricians— from private practice and academic health systems and in various stages of their career, including medical students and residents—from across the state. By the third and final day, our delegates were ready to engage with our Pennsylvania legislators.
The objective of each legislative meeting was to secure a commitment from the legislator’s office to co-sponsor or sign onto the Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act- HB 2347. With bipartisan support, the Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act was proposed by four Representatives, including Rep. Kim Schreier, the first pediatrician to serve in the House, and Rep. John Joyce, a physician from Pennsylvania’s 13th District (Blair County, PA )The bill is designed to strengthen the existing Vaccines for Children (VFC) program by expanding VFC eligibility to cover all Medicaid and CHIP eligible children, incentivizing provider participation by alleviating operational burdens, tracking immunizations to identify disparities, and more. It is especially gratifying to have PA's Dr. Joyce shepherding such an important piece of legislation for children.
On the final day, our delegation met with the legislators. The day began with a meeting with Senator Casey himself. Our conversation with Senator Casey was terrific; he seemed to completely understand the importance of the bill and mentioned his willingness to co-sponsor the bill when it arrives in the Senate. Though we were not able to meet with Senator Toomey directly, a legislative fellow out of his office joined our meeting and committed to share our information with the Senator and enlist his support. After adjourning from Senator Toomey’s meeting, each delegate branched off to connect with their District Representative’s office. Our team was able to meet with 11 out of PA’s 18 district offices.
What a great day, despite not being in Washington D.C. to experience the Capital’s vibrant energy. As the lead delegate, I was so grateful for the opportunity to showcase PA AAP ’s talented pediatricians. To all those who participated, thank you; your poise, expertise, and dedication to our state’s children was evident. I was so inspired by our members articulating their commitment to VFC improvements in such a succinct, eloquent manner. I hope we can harness that energy for Pennsylvania's specific advocacy initiatives. There is no group better equipped to advocate for PA’s children than our 2,300 members.
I know what a difficult year 2020 was and we continue to wrestle with the pandemic even in April of 2021, but I want to challenge each of you to think more broadly on behalf of the children we see every day whether in an office, hospital or newborn nursery. We need to fight for the potential of every child every day. Please join us for the virtual PA AAP State Advocacy Day on Monday May 24th from 9am -3pm where we will be tackling the issue of pediatric mental health. Each of us are seeing the tremendously devastating effects of the pandemic on children due to isolation and lack of access to school, activities, friends, and family. Please consider taking a few hours of your day to join the Advocacy Committee Co-chairs: Will Keough, MD and Gabe Cisneros, MD to engage with our state legislators on improving access to children’s mental health services in the state. Register here today.
As always, it is my honor to work with so many amazing pediatricians. Thank you for all you do every day for the children of Pennsylvania.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me at haecker@chop.edu or Annette Myarick amyarick@paaap.org.
Sincerely,
