Wakefield Act: TN EMSC Foundation supports this federal legislation
TN EMSC Foundation is in support H.R.479 and S.408, companion bills to reauthorize the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program. In 2009, the EMSC program marks its 25th anniversary of driving fundamental changes in the nation’s emergency medical system to improve emergency care for children. As the only federal program dedicated to improving emergency care for children, the
EMSC program has brought vital attention and resources to an otherwise neglected population. It is no coincidence that since the EMSC program was established, death rates due to pediatric injury have dropped by an astounding 40 percent
The Wakefield Act, S 408, was introduced in the US Senate by Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI). The bill has five cosponsors: Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND), Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Kent Conrad (D-ND), and Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT). The bill, which was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, reauthorizes the EMSC Program.
For summary, text, and status information of H.R.479 click here.
For summary, text, and status information of S.408 click here.
As of March 27, 2009 Representative Steve Cohen and Bart Gordon are co-sponsors. Currently, no TN senators have co-sponosred.
ACTION:
Senate referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on February 10, 2009.
President Obama Picks Prominent Nurse to Lead HRSA:
Dr. Mary Wakefield, Director of the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota, has been appointed to oversee the Health Resources and Services Administration, which helps to deliver health care to those who are uninsured and underserved by our current health care system. Dr. Wakefield most recently served as the Associate Dean for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where she was a tenured professor and Director of the Center for Rural Health. Dr. Wakefield has expertise in rural health care, quality and patient safety, Medicare payment policy, workforce issues, and public policy. She has authored many articles and columns on health policy and is on the editorial board of a number of professional journals. The EMSC reauthorization bill, the Wakefield Act, was named after Dr. Wakefield's family. Dr. Wakefield has been tremendously supportive of the EMSC program in the past, and moderated a 2007 Congressional briefing on the program.
Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations:
Congress has yet to enact several of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 appropriations bills, including the FY 2009 Department of Health and Human Services-Labor-Education appropriations bill, which funds the EMSC Program. Therefore, the EMSC Program is receiving stopgap funding at the FY 2008 level of $19.454 million under a continuing resolution that expires on March 6, 2009.
On Tuesday, March 10, the Senate approved HR 1105, the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act by a voice vote; the President signed the measure into law on Wednesday, March 11. The bill contains $20 million for the EMSC Program for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends September 30, 2009; this is $546 thousand more than the previous fiscal year level of $19.454 million. You may recall that the House of Representatives approved HR 1105 on Wednesday, February 25.
Fiscal Year 2010 President’s Budget Request:
On Thursday, February 26, President Obama released the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget outline. As this is an outline and not a full spending plan, it does not recommend funding levels for federal agencies or programs, including the EMSC Program. The President is expected to release the complete budget, including recommended funding levels for federal agencies and programs, by mid-to-late April. Information on the President’s proposed funding for the EMSC Program will be shared at that time.
