“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which represents 60,000 pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and surgical specialists, applauds the United States Senate for its vote to pass its health reform agreement, embodied in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Academy supports the legislation, and applauds the Senate for its tireless efforts to pass a health reform agreement out of its chamber this year.

“While final health reform legislation will be shaped by a conference committee melding the Senate’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the House of Representatives’ Affordable Health Care For America Act (HR 3962), the Senate’s agreement includes several components that take significant steps toward achieving the Academy’s highest priorities for health reform, including a provision that immediately grants all children comprehensive preventive services. Investing in children in this manner is one of the best ways to truly bend the cost curve by preventing habits and pediatric conditions that lead to costly adult disease.

“The Senate’s historic vote was a necessary and important step toward passing comprehensive health reform legislation in 2010. As the legislative process continues, the Academy looks forward to working with leadership in both chambers of Congress to improve health reform for children. The AAP will continue to advocate for children’s unique health needs in health reform, including strong provisions in Medicaid to make medical homes available to all children and improved payment rates in Medicaid so that providing quality, affordable health care to all children is possible. The Academy commends both chambers of Congress for their work to date to achieve health reform for our nation’s children. As we move closer to sending health reform legislation to President Obama’s desk, we must continue to make the life success of every child our highest national priority.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 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. For more information, visit www.aap.org.