Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., in a column he co-wrote for Roll Call, said now is the time to improve the health of our nation's children.
Carper and his co-writer Kara Odom Walker, executive vice president and chief population health officer at Nemours Children's Health noted: "Across the U.S., a growing challenge to our children's mental and physical well-being has been felt in every corner of our country — while countless children and youth are fulfilled and thriving physically and mentally, so many are struggling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over the last 10 years, feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness — as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors — increased by about 40% among young people in this country.
"In 2022, 8.8% of children lived in households experiencing food insecurity, and 1 in 5 children were at risk of hunger. Various federal and state programs are working to address these and other social and developmental needs so that all children can reach their full potential. Regrettably, these programs sometimes lack coordination, leading to missed opportunities for prevention and early intervention in the communities and places where children spend their time.
"Thankfully, health systems like Nemours Children's Health are working with federal lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in an effort to make a coordinated approach to children's healthcare a reality. The bipartisan, bicameral Kickstarting Innovative Demonstrations Supporting Kids Health Act was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate.
"This bill would establish a holistic approach to children's healthcare by integrating mental and physical health services for children and youth who are eligible for both Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program."
They said they were proud to work on this bill with Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, as well as Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., and Dr. Michael Burgess, R-Texas.
They maintained The KIDS Health Act will make it easier for children to get coordinated and comprehensive mental and physical care they need.
"The KIDS Health Act would establish a cornerstone within the health system to enable work with community partners to address social drivers of health, such as lack of nutritious food and reliable access to transportation," they added.
It would integrate primary and mental health care programs within school-based settings.
"We can promote equitable access to care by meeting kids where they are and playing a vital role in early detection," they said. "Also, parents would not be required to miss work due to traveling to the doctor's office, and students wouldn't have to miss valuable class time.
"The KIDS Health Act is about going well beyond medicine to build a stronger health system that supports healthy children. Healthy children grow into healthy adults who create a thriving economy, a capable military, and a brighter future for our nation."
They urged Congress to pass the KIDS Health Act "to help our nation's children live healthier, more fulfilled lives, and strengthen our great nation for generations to come."
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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