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About This Event
Family Advocacy Day (FAD) is Children’s Hospital Association’s marquee advocacy event.
Children’s hospitals are encouraged to bring patients and families to Washington, D.C., to advocate for stronger pediatric care and ensure a brighter tomorrow for all children.
Over two decades, more than 1,000 child advocates have visited Capitol Hill and participated in some 2,500 meetings with leaders responsible for passing laws that impact child health. Their real experiences put faces to the policies that affect millions of children and help policymakers understand what’s truly at stake.
"I’m incredibly grateful to CHA for bringing us together to celebrate the voices of our patients and families. Few fields blend purpose and connection like pediatrics, where advocacy helps build lasting community."
In 2026, advocates will engage with policymakers to:
- Protect and strengthen Medicaid and CHIP, which insure nearly half of U.S. children
- Elevate children’s health by preventing proposals that could reduce access to care
- Boost the pediatric workforce through federal policies and increased funding for Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education
- Address the ongoing youth mental health crisis
Last year, 60 advocates from across the country met with their members of Congress. And we’re ready to make a greater impact in 2026.
Together, we can make children's health a national priority.
Find more information and resources in the government relations professionals community.
