Matheson Bill Renews Unique Program to Improve Emergency Care for Kids

Washington D.C.—Congressman Jim Matheson’s legislation to continue a unique federal program designed to improve emergency medical services for children was approved by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee today.  Matheson’s bipartisan bill—HR 2464—reauthorizes the federal Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program. Matheson is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and he serves on the Health Subcommittee.

Also called “the Wakefield Act”, the bill allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states or schools of medicine to support projects to expand and improve emergency medical services for children needing trauma or critical care.

“There are over 30 million child and teen visits annually to our nation’s emergency rooms.  Many are designed and equipped for adult health programs, rather than children’s,” said Matheson.  “Only this program—EMSC—exists to promote improvements among health care facilities and staffs that handle many life and death cases for these small patients.”

Committee Chairman John Dingell praised Matheson’s efforts.

“Congressman Matheson is an outstanding and energetic legislator.  He saw a need for this legislation and acted upon it,” said Chairman Dingell.  “His remarkable leadership and hard work were imperative in getting this bill passed.  It would not have happened without him.”

Matheson said the original Wakefield Act honors a rural health center director—Mary Wakefield—who, in 2005, lost her brother and two of his children—in a tragic automobile accident.  A third child suffered severe injuries, but survived, thanks to excellent child emergency room care.

Matheson said since the EMSC program began 20 years ago, major improvements in emergency care for children have been realized.  Injury-related deaths among children have dropped by 40 percent over that period of time.  It has also fostered collaborative relationships among emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses, emergency physicians, surgeons and pediatricians.

“Injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children over 1 year of age.  In Utah, where much of the state is rural and emergency services can be miles away, it is vital that emergency personnel know how to deliver the best care quickly and expertly,” said Matheson.

Matheson’s bill is supported by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Ambulance Association and the American College of Emergency Physicians, among other groups.  A companion bill – S. 60—has been introduced in the Senate.

 

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