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Children With Medical Complexity

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Photo: John O'Boyle, Children’s Specialized Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Understanding Medical Complexity

The ACE Kids Act of 2017 (S. 428) was introduced in the Senate on Feb. 16 by lead cosponsors Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Michael Bennet, D-Colo. This legislation follows the ACE Kids Act of 2015, which achieved strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The association expects House champions to introduce a similar bill soon.

View a cost analysis of similar 2015 legislation by an independent non-profit.

Resources

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Talking Points
Support the ACE Kids Act (S. 428)
July 7, 2017

Encourage your members of Congress to support the ACE Kids Act of 2017, S. 428.

Article
Strategies to Reduce Hospitalizations and Emergency Visits for Children with Medical Complexities
June 12, 2017

As part of the CARE Award, Wolfson Children's Hospital experienced improvement in a number of metrics, including reducing emergency visits.

Article
Creating Medical and Psychosocial Goals for Patients With Medical Complexity
May 23, 2017

A screening tool helps Children's Hospital Colorado nurse coordinators connect the dots and set social-behavioral and medical goals for patients.

Article
Clinic Helps Children with Medical Complexity Reduce Emergency Room Visits
April 19, 2017

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital's Chronic-Complex Clinic for children with medical complexity serves as a medical home to span inpatient and ...

Article
Streamlining Care for Patients with Complex Medical Conditions
April 19, 2017

Children's Mercy Kansas City's Beacon Program improves outcomes and reduces costs for patients with complex medical conditions.

Policy
Senate ACE Kids Act Overview of Changes
March 1, 2017

A high level summary of changes made from the 2015 ACE Kids Act introduced in the Senate.

Press Release
Bipartisan Bill, ACE Kids Act of 2017, Introduced to Improve Care for Children in Medicaid
February 17, 2017

Children’s hospitals support S. 428 to advance care for children with complex medical conditions in Medicaid.

Article
Focusing the National Conversation on Children's Health
February 8, 2017

In 2017, protecting the nation's children will be critical.

Article
Advancing Care for Children With Heart Defects
February 8, 2017

Some of the most significant advances in pediatric health care over the last 25 years have enhanced the care of children born with the most common ...

Article
Children's Hospitals Can Help Patients Transition into Adult Care
February 8, 2017

Here's how hospitals can support long-term outcomes for pediatric patients with chronic medical issues and help them thrive into adulthood.

Press Release
More than 16,000 Petition Congress to Pass the ACE Kids Act
November 18, 2016

A petition asking Congress to pass the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act of 2015 this year receives more than 16,000 signatures from supporters ...

Article
9-year-old Overcomes Spinal Cord, Brain Injury and Becomes Health Advocate
November 9, 2016

Jacob Lopez, a patient at Wolfson Children’s, advocates for car seat and automobile safety.

Issue Brief
Advancing our Nation by Investing in Children’s Health Care: A Message to the New Administration
November 4, 2016

CHA recommended essential steps for the next administration to protect children's health and access to care.

Article
Medical Home Clinics Help Improve Care for Children with Medical Complexities
November 1, 2016

Medical home clinics help improve care for children with medical complexities.

Article
Family Battles Rare Combination of Conditions
November 1, 2016

A family completes a nutrition overhaul to battle a rare combination of conditions.

Press Release
Children’s Hospital Association Joins Other Advocates in Modern Medicaid Alliance
October 13, 2016

CHA joins more than two dozen national advocacy organizations to launch the Modern Medicaid Alliance.

Article
What Life is Like for Twins Living with Cystic Fibrosis
October 6, 2016

Twins support each other through the daily challenges of living with cystic fibrosis.

Sample or Template
ACE Kids Act of 2015 - Thank You Letter Template for Hospitals
October 4, 2016

Member hospitals may use the sample letters to thank House and Senate members for their support of the ACE Kids Act of 2015.

Toolkit
Congressional Recess Advocacy Activities
October 4, 2016

Children's hospitals can remind members of Congress of the importance of the ACE Kids Act by engaging in these advocacy activities.

Article
Patient Care Through the Eyes of a Child
September 27, 2016

Cook Children's Health Care System released a video depicting the experiences of families through the eyes of children with complex medical ...

Article
ACE Kids Act Reaches 218 Cosponsors in U.S. House of Representatives
September 9, 2016

The ACE Kids Act now has 218 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives. The majority of the chamber supports the bill to improve care for the ...

Article
Helping Premature Twins Find Self-Reliance
August 5, 2016

After years of surgery and physical therapy, identical twins, each with her own challenges, have become advocates for themselves and their hospital.

Article
Testifying on Behalf of the ACE Kids Act
July 28, 2016

The ACE Kids Act moves forward with a hearing on Capitol Hill. Here's Cook Children's Health Care System CEO Rick Merrill's perspective of the event.

Article
ACE Kids Act Has its Day Before the House Energy and Commerce Committee
July 8, 2016

The committee hearing included children's hospitals executives, parents of children with medical complexity, health care industry experts and policy ...

Article
ACE Kids Act Has its Day Before the House Energy and Commerce Committee
July 8, 2016

The committee hearing included children's hospitals executives, parents of children with medical complexity, health care industry experts and policy ...

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Contacts

CARE Award

CARE Award Delivery System Transformation

An ambitious, national project is underway to test new payment and delivery models for children with medical complexity. 

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Members receive the latest updates and suggest ways to best influence policy issues that impact children's health and children's hospitals in a weekly conference call. 

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