By: Moira Szilagyi, MD, PhD, FAAP, president, American Academy of Pediatrics
“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) applauds today’s resounding passage of the bipartisan Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022 (H.R. 8876) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation provides needed certainty to families who rely on home visiting programs and ensures more eligible children and parents can benefit from its proven track record in setting families up for success.
“Pediatricians know first-hand the importance of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. Becoming a new parent can be an especially stressful time and home visiting helps to ensure families have the support, expertise and resources they need to thrive. Specially trained home visitors can help guide parents who may not otherwise have a place to turn. It complements the work we do as pediatricians, and makes sure children and families are supported when they return home from our clinics or practices.
“Despite its success, the MIECHV program reaches fewer than 5% of eligible families and has never received a funding increase since its inception, which is why Congress must act to extend the program and provide needed additional funding. Families need our support and right now too many of them are missing out on a vital program that we know works.
“Now is the time for Congress to advance the policies in the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act to support children and families and honor the legacy of the late Representative Walorski and her commitment to this bipartisan program. The AAP thanks Representatives Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), Richard Neal (D-Mass.) and Kevin Brady (R-Texas) for their bipartisan leadership to develop and advance this bill and calls on lawmakers to include these critical policies and expanded funding in any comprehensive year-end legislation.”
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 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 and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds