Harkin Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan HELP Committee Bill to Strengthen Emergency Medical Services for Children

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2014. The bill would continue the 30 years of care provided through the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program and ensure that the entire spectrum of emergency medical services (EMS) can be provided to children and adolescents no matter where they live, attend school, or travel.

Led by Chairman Harkin, the bill was approved by the Senate HELP Committee in July and is now pending consideration by the House.

“Every child deserves access to the best medical care, especially in emergencies, no matter where they live,” Harkin said. “This bill reaffirms our commitment to the health of our children by investing in these critical programs. I am pleased the Senate passed this vital measure and look forward to the bill’s consideration by the House as soon as possible.”

The Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2014 reflects the important physical, developmental, and mental differences pediatric patients have compared to adults. From smaller-sized medical equipment to different dosage requirements for medicine, the EMSC program helps medical professionals meet the unique needs of pediatric patients and provides state-of-the-art emergency medical care for ill and injured children and adolescents. 

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