Baldwin Proposes Medical Home Care for Children with Most Complex Conditions
Statement
Baldwin Proposes Medical Home Care for Children with Most Complex Conditions
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), joined by Congressmen Henry Brown (R-SC) and John Spratt (D-SC), has introduced legislation allowing states to create a program allowing medical home care for low income children with the most complex medical conditions.
The Medically Fragile Children's Act would ensure consistently coordinated, quality care for children whose severe functional deficits require daily monitoring of their medical conditions. In traditional Medicaid, their care is often disjointed and duplicative, resulting in cyclical hospitalization, poor health, and excessive spending.
"Access to these programs will help restore respect and dignity to the health care of our most vulnerable youth," said Congresswoman Baldwin. "As demonstrated in Wisconsin, with a comprehensive program of care, coordinated by a team of dedicated professionals, these children with special needs can achieve and maintain good health," Baldwin said.
In a study of a pioneering South Carolina program developed between Palmetto Health of South Carolina, the Medical University of South Carolina, and that state's Medicaid and Social Services programs, the National Association of Children's Hospitals (N.A.C.H.) found significant per child savings for Medicaid over a less-coordinated delivery system and a reduction in emergency room visits by 50 percent for children served by the program. In addition, 55 percent of program enrollees exceeded clinical expectations
Based on this model of care, Baldwin's legislation will allow all states to tailor programs to meet the needs of their most medically complex children. If enacted, this legislation would also support the successful medical partnership model pioneered by the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, which established medical benefits of care coordination and family support for medically fragile children.
Jim Kaufman, N.A.C.H. Vice President for Public Policy, added his support by saying, "We commend the introduction of this legislation, which allows other states to implement similar programs incorporating family choice and access to program services up to age 25."
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