I began my career as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). I’ve cared for many children with life-threatening conditions, and I’ve watched them recover and thrive. And during my 10 years as CHOP’s CEO, I’ve seen firsthand how pediatric providers change children’s and families’ worlds for the better.
At CHOP, I have heard countless stories of children who are living happy, healthy lives thanks to the care they received from our teams.
Many of these stories would not be possible without Medicaid.
Medicaid was designed with children in mind. It is an essential resource for children’s hospitals because it makes it possible for us to deliver care to every child who needs it. Medicaid ensures children can see a doctor when they need to and receive the specialized care they need to enjoy a healthy future. Medicaid is especially important for children with complex medical conditions and cancer — even those with commercial insurance often require Medicaid to cover the tremendous costs of care. (Children with complex healthcare needs are sometimes covered by Medicaid as well as commercial insurance due to the extraordinary cost of their care.)
The scale of Medicaid cannot be overstated: It provides coverage for 37 million children in the United States. Nearly 50 percent of children with special healthcare needs, more than 3 million children in military-connected families and approximately 40 percent of children in rural areas and small towns are covered by Medicaid.
At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, nearly half of our patients rely on Medicaid to get the crucial care they need and deserve.
A future at risk
But right now, Medicaid is at risk. And we need to take action to protect it.
Congress is considering proposals that would drastically reduce federal investments in Medicaid and reduce funding for state programs. Regardless of the messaging, the changes that are under consideration would be devastating for children’s health.
Medicaid is especially important for children with complex medical conditions and cancer — even those with commercial insurance often require Medicaid to cover the tremendous costs of care.
Decreasing funding for Medicaid won’t decrease the number of children who go to an emergency room with a severe infection or a traumatic injury. It won’t stop women from going into labor early and delivering preterm babies who need breathing machines and intensive care to survive. And decreasing funding for Medicaid won’t lead to a decrease in childhood cancer.
This is what will happen if Medicaid funding is decreased: The future of our country will be impacted. There will be fewer healthy children to be productive, tax-paying adults. There will be fewer healthy children to serve in our military or become teachers, police officers or government leaders. Decreasing funding for the country’s largest insurer of children means that all American children will feel the consequences, especially those who live in areas of the country where access to pediatric care is already difficult, because Medicaid supports access to care for children.
A call to action
If Medicaid funding is decreased, children’s hospitals like CHOP may be forced to make hard decisions about cutting programs that are important — even lifesaving — for children.
I have seen the difference that Medicaid makes for children. It gives them the opportunity for a healthier future — something every child deserves.
I urge you to ask Congress to protect Medicaid — and the children who rely on it — for generations to come. Your support of this vital program will be lifesaving for children.
You can learn more about why protecting Medicaid is so important on the Children’s Hospital Association’s website.
Madeline Bell is CEO of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The Citizen welcomes guest commentary from community members who represent that it is their own work and their own opinion based on true facts that they know firsthand.
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