Legislative Priorities Shared with General Assembly Members

Members of Children’s Hospital’s senior staff, advocacy committee, board of trustees and parents of current and former patients discussed the hospital’s legislative agenda with more than 120 elected officials and staff at the hospital’s legislative breakfast on Jan. 10 at the General Assembly building. The fifth annual event provided an opportunity for hospital representatives to meet General Assembly members and share information about Children’s Hospital’s services and 2008 legislative priorities, which focused on protecting Medicaid and FAMIS, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, from cuts during the current budget shortfall.

“The legislative breakfast brings visibility during a time when we’re trying to ensure Medicaid and FAMIS stay in place,” said Judy Collins, Chair of the Board of Trustees’ Community Liaison Committee. “Having our children, parents and trustees there allows legislators and their staff to have a personal view of what Children’s Hospital is all about and keep our mission in front of officials who have the power to preserve these important programs.”

Attendees heard from Kim and her daughter, Hailey, who was an active and healthy 10-year-old before having a stroke in Sept. 2006. While the family’s medical insurance covered Hailey’s inpatient rehab and some outpatient therapy, it ran out before her treatment concluded. Medicaid allowed Hailey to continue physical, occupational and speech therapy and eventually return to playing soccer and running.

For Kelly’s one-income household, FAMIS means her four children always have access to health care. FAMIS, which provides health insurance for families who don’t qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance, covers her children’s medical needs including Children’s Feeding Program, orthopedic care and regular pediatrician visits.

Diagnosed with Rett syndrome at 17 months old, Reily depends on her family for all her care. Her mom Robin told legislators how her family relies on Children’s Hospital for regular therapy and physician specialist visits as often as insurance allows. Although Medicaid isn’t the direct payor for Reily’s care, the large numbers of Children’s Hospital patients served by Medicaid allow these services to be available.
In fiscal year 2007, Medicaid and Medicaid HMO’s accounted for 59.4 percent of total reimbursement at Children’s Hospital. Of the 7,268 patients seen, 46.5 percent relied on Medicaid or Medicaid HMOs.

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