Children’s Health to present Congressman Barton with “Champions for Children’s Health” award

DALLAS, TX (February 17, 2015) -- Children’s Health℠ will present the “Champions for Children’s Health” award to Congressman Joe Barton on Tuesday, February 17, at 11 a.m. in the main lobby of Children's Medical Center Dallas.

Children’s Health is presenting the 15th annual award this year to Barton for his leadership on children’s health issues, including the introduction of the ACE Kids Act (H.R. 546).

The award was established to honor federal and state legislators who provide leadership on issues which improve children’s health and wellness, and support Children’s Health’s mission, “To make life better for children.”

“Congressman Barton is being recognized for almost three decades of service and leadership on issues of vital importance to children, including the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education program and his support for pediatric disease research at the National Institutes of Health,” said Christopher J. Durovich, president and chief executive officer at Children’s Health.

Barton was particularly recognized for introducing and championing the groundbreaking “Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids” Act, or the “ACE Kids Act,” in the U.S. Congress earlier this year.

The ACE Kids Act provides the opportunity to reform Medicaid to improve care for children with complex medical conditions while reducing costs to the health care system. The legislation, (H.R. 4930), is aimed at providing resources for young patients who fall into a crack of the current healthcare system.

“I am honored to receive the ‘Champions for Children’s Health’ award from Children’s Health System of Texas. Just like every parent, I want to make sure our children are healthy and happy. It is what America is all about and it is what the ACE Kids Act does,” said Congressman Barton. “Support for this legislation just continues to grow. I am confident that with the help of a strong family advocates and providers like the Children’s Medical Center Dallas, this bill will become law sometime this year.”

Children with medical complexities and multiple comorbidities require a coordinated health care delivery system. Many kids are fortunate to have physicians and services available through metropolitan children’s hospitals such as Children’s, and who are covered by private medical insurance.

However, many children with medical complexities rely on Medicaid and do not live near one of the top pediatric centers in the country; therefore they require care at institutions within their state and even outside their home state.

Children with complex medical conditions require a unique coordinated health care delivery system. “Unfortunately, the current Medicaid system doesn’t support the model that we know is best for our patients,” said Durovich.

While medically complex patients represent less than 10 percent of children enrolled in Medicaid, they account for 40 percent of all Medicaid spending on children. This proposal could save states and the federal government approximately $13 billion over 10 years.

Durovich added, “Congressman Barton’s legislation will improve the care that these children receive and reduce costs at the state and federal levels. I applaud his efforts to ensure that children with complex health needs receive the first-rate care they deserve, in the most efficient and child-focused means, regardless of where they live.”

Media Contact: 

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About Children’s Health System of Texas

Children’s Health System of Texas (Children’s Health) is one of the nation’s leading pediatric health care systems, providing a full spectrum of healthcare services for children in Dallas, North Texas and surrounding regions. Children’s Health includes a clinically integrated network featuring the flagship hospital Children’s Medical Center Dallas, as well as Children’s Medical Center Plano and Children’s Specialty Center Southlake, 18 Children’s Health Pediatric Group primary care centers, home health, physician practices and professional services and a pediatric research institute. For more information, please visit www.childrens.com.