Parents with Children's National doctor, Gerard Martin, MD, testify to support the Healthy Hearts of Babies Act
CHAI’s Government Affairs team is proud of our past policy achievements on behalf of children, including:
Walter Reed Conveyance of Land and Buildings to Children’s National
CHAI’s Government Affairs team was instrumental both in securing the language authorizing the transfer of nearly 12 acres of land and buildings from the Walter Reed campus, as well as advocating for congressional support for the land conveyance. The authorizing language was contained within the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act and subsequent to securing this language, the Government Affairs team worked with Members of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate to build support for the conveyance. On November 17, 2016, the U.S Army conveyed the nearly 12 acres of land and buildings to Children’s National at a signing ceremony.
Healthy Hearts of Babies Act
CHAI’s Government Affairs team, along with Children’s National cardiologists, were instrumental in prompting the DC Council to pass the Healthy Hearts of Babies Act, ensuring all babies born in the city are screened for congenital heart defects before leaving the hospital. Without this simple test, a heart problem could go undiagnosed until the newborn becomes oxygen-deprived and turns visibly blue at home. Many infants suffered brain damage or even died before they could get medical attention.
Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act of 2015 (ACE Kids)
CHAI’s Government Affairs team continued our campaign to secure co-sponsorship of federal legislation in support of Medicaid reform. We also participated in the Children’s Hospital Association’s Family Advocacy Day and advocated for continued support for ACE Kids legislation.
Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME)
To help educate the next generation of caregivers, we worked to secure support for both the reauthorization, as well as $300 million in appropriations for the Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program.
Federal and state funding to support Children’s research initiatives
CHAI is constantly working to secure federal and state funding for Children’s pioneering research projects, including initiatives on muscular dystrophy and sickle cell disease. We recently secured support for the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program, $3.2 million for FY2016.
We also advocated to include sickle cell disease as a topic area for the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, participating in Sickle Cell Disease Advocacy Day and the National Bone Marrow Program Advocacy Day.
We’ve regularly prepared and coordinated testimony before the DC Council on a variety of programs throughout Children’s National:
- Child and Adolescent Protection Center
- Telemedicine program
- Oral Health Coalition
- Division of Allergy and Immunology
- IMPACT DC
- Children’s School Services