CHAI Policy Successes
The Child Health Advocacy Institute's Government Affairs team is proud of our past policy achievements on behalf of children, including:
COVID-19 Supplemental Appropriations
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our team has identified and worked with other departments throughout the hospital to secure funding in COVID-19 supplemental appropriations.
Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME)
To help educate the next generation of caregivers, we requested $465 million for the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Program.
Children's National Research & Innovation Campus Zoning Application
The Government Affairs team was successful in navigating the regulatory process to ensure that Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus met zoning requirements needed for expansion and future development. In addition, Children’s National secured a temporary continuation of property tax exemption for CNRIC.
Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Act
Our team drafted, supported and lobbied for the adoption of SB 760, which would enter Virginia into the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. The compact allows psychologists to practice psychology in multiple jurisdictions through telemedicine without obtaining licensure in the “distant state”.
Better Access for Babies for Integrated Equitable Services Amendment Act of 2020
The Government Affairs team was successful in lobbying for the passage of B23-0416 Better Access for Babies to Integrated Equitable Services Amendment Act of 2020. This law adds provisions to the Comprehensive Newborn Screening Program to establish discharge standards and authorizes penalties for failure to comply with the standards or perform the necessary screens. It would also authorize the Department of Health to collect information from hospitals and birthing facilities to create a report card regarding compliance with newborn screening requirements, lactation support services, parent education, discharge standards and clinical quality measures. It also creates a Perinatal and Infant Health Advisory Committee that would advise on ways to reduce preterm birth and newborn screening activities.
Advocating for Our Programs
Children's National doctors Kathy Woodward-Murray, M.D., Hope Rhodes, M.D., and Shilpa Patel, M.D., testify before DC Council during their Performance Oversight Hearing on School-based Health Clinics, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and IMPACT DC.
Our team has regularly prepared and coordinated testimony before the DC Council on a variety of programs throughout Children's National, including:
- DC Mental Health Access Program (DC MAP)
- Women, Infant and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC)
- HIV Screening Program
- Teen Pregnancy Program
- Child and Adolescent Protection Center
- Parent Navigator Program
- IMPACT DC
- Healthy Steps