Matheson Bill to Improve Emergency Care for Kids Passes House

Washington D.C.—Congressman Jim Matheson’s legislation to continue a unique federal program credited with saving children’s lives by improving emergency medical services passed overwhelmingly in the House Tuesday.  Matheson’s bipartisan bill—HR 2464—reauthorizes the federal Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program.  Matheson is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and he serves on the Health Subcommittee.

Also called the “Wakefield Act”, the bill allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to states or schools of medicine to support projects to expand and improve emergency medical services for children needing trauma or critical care. The program has provided seed money to every state and US territory since its inception in 1984.

“This program has saved children’s lives by helping emergency care providers deliver services appropriate to the needs of these small patients,” said Matheson.  “There are over 30 million child and teen visits annually to our nation’s emergency rooms. Only this program—EMSC—exists to promote improvements among health care facilities and staffs that handle trauma cases for severely injured children.”

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Dingell said the bill bolsters the well-being of children.

“Thanks to Congressman Matheson’s leadership on this bill, millions of sick and injured children will get the quality emergency medical care they need and deserve,” said Rep. Dingell. “He is a valuable partner in our efforts to care for the most vulnerable among us, our kids.”

Matheson said since the EMSC program began in the mid 1980s, major improvements in emergency care for children have been realized.  Injury-related deaths among children have dropped by 40 percent over that period of time.  It has also fostered collaborative relationships among emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses, emergency physicians, surgeons and pediatricians.

“One crucial element has been the training and data collection provided through this program to rural EMTs, many of whom are volunteers.  When the scene of the accident is miles from the nearest hospital or trauma center, it is vital that emergency personnel know how to deliver the best care quickly and expertly,” said Matheson.

Matheson’s bill is supported by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Ambulance Association and the American College of Emergency Physicians, among other groups. A companion bill – S. 60—has been introduced in the Senate.

 

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