Children’s Hospital Association, with more than 200 of our nation’s children’s hospitals, is committed to raising awareness and advocating for the public policy issues that impact children and their health care providers. We raise our voices together and urge federal lawmakers to pass legislation to ensure timely access to care for all kids, protect affordable care through Medicaid and CHIP, and respond with urgency to end the mental health crisis in children.
We directly involve children with complex medical conditions and their families in this process through our annual Family Advocacy Day. Each summer, patient families from across the country participate in Family Advocacy Day, sharing their health care journeys with federal lawmakers and making a difference on the issues that matter most. These kids are past and current pediatric patients who know firsthand how important pediatric care is—and they have all been diagnosed with a serious health condition at some point in their life.
We’re excited to host inspiring speakers, allow kids to connect and bring together their amazing families and caregivers. On the first day of the event, our champions will arrive in Washington D.C., meet fellow advocates and their families, and explore the city. On the second day, families will attend congressional briefings and Capitol Hill meetings to share their stories directly with lawmakers. We will celebrate their activities at a festive dinner that evening—what a day! To close out the amazing event, children and families will participate in the official Capitol Hill day where they will meet with lawmakers and share their health care journey and the life-changing care they receive at children’s hospitals across the country.
Participants will log over 100 meetings with members of Congress, discussing the importance of investing in children’s health care. We’re privileged to have such special guests in our nation’s capital and grateful for the opportunity to facilitate meetings between children and their elected officials. For most, it is their first time speaking with their lawmakers—and their personal stories of pediatric care make an enormous impact—they are champions!
Our 18th Family Advocacy Day will showcase why the Children’s Hospital Association and our champions are fearless advocates for children’s health on June 20-22, 2023. While Congress has made investments in children’s health and their health care providers, there’s still more progress to be made.
We hope you stay tuned as we share our champions’ stories on the Children’s Hospital Association website from now through June.
