River Bend Times

Today, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Health Subcommittee, celebrated the passage of their Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act in the House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation introduced in July 2023 aims to break down barriers for children with complex medical conditions, making it easier for families to access out-of-state care.

“House passage of the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act is a major win for children fighting rare and complex diseases,” said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. “Our legislation gives children with rare and complex diseases access to health care institutions and research facilities that are in many cases out of state. It also reduces bureaucratic red tape and significant wait times that delay patient care and risk exacerbating a child’s health condition. I thank Rep. Trahan and Children’s Hospitals across America for this milestone and brighter future for many children. We look forward to the Senate swiftly passing this bill and the President signing it into law.”

“For children and families facing rare pediatric diseases like cancer, the time between diagnosis and treatment is everything,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I'm proud that my bipartisan Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act is now one step closer to becoming law so children aren’t denied lifesaving care because of preventable and time-consuming administrative hurdles.”

“We are ecstatic that the House of Representatives has passed the bipartisan Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act,” said Matthew Cook, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Association. “This legislation is vital for children and families affected by rare diseases and other chronic conditions who often face significant barriers to accessing timely and coordinated care. Children with complex health needs frequently require the expertise of pediatric specialists and subspecialists found only in children’s hospitals some of which are not located in their home state. By streamlining the burdensome Medicaid provider enrollment process, this bill ensures that pediatric patients have timely access to the specialized care they need, regardless of where they live. We are eternally grateful for the tenacious, bipartisan leadership of Reps. Trahan and Miller-Meeks to get this vital bill over the finish line in the House. Now on to the Senate!”

“As a pediatric oncologist, I know: children with cancer have NO time to waste,” said E. Anders Kolb, MD, president and CEO of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act spares families from needless delays at a moment when time is of the essence. We urge the Senate to take up the bill and pass it right away. Kids with cancer can’t wait.”

Children with complex medical needs may not have specialized care within their home state. In these instances, parents must work with healthcare providers and state Medicaid officials to find out-of-state care—a process often delaying or blocking access altogether.

To reduce barriers, the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act allows states to streamline enrollment processes for out-of-state pediatric care providers into another state’s Medicaid program while safeguarding important program integrity processes. This legislation enables smooth coordination across state lines by clarifying how state Medicaid programs can cover this care regardless of where a child lives or receives treatment.

A full list of 215 organizations supporting the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act is available HERE. The legislation now moves to the Senate where companion legislation has been introduced by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO).