SENATOR JEFF BINGAMAN RECEIVES AWARD FROM PEDIATRICIANS

Washington, DC---U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) received the Excellence in Public Service Award (EPSA) today from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for his legislative work to improve children's health care. The award was presented during the AAP Legislative Conference being held in Washington, DC through April 27.

"Senator Bingaman is committed to providing quality health care to every child and teenager in this country," said AAP President Carden Johnston, M.D. "Time and again, he has helped improve or protect in some cases, programs that provide vital health care services to children."

Each year, the AAP honors national officials, elected or appointed, for distinguished service through the public policy process on behalf of children and adolescents and their health care. Senator Bingaman has been a champion for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which together insure more than 27 million children. He has worked to provide more federal funding for these programs, and introduced legislation to make it easier for eligible families to enroll.

"Pediatricians, their patients and families have a true ally in Senator Bingaman," Dr. Johnston said.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 57,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.