In America, a growing challenge to the mental and physical well-being of our children has been felt in every corner of our country, while countless children and youth are content and thriving physically and mentally, so many struggle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over the past 10 years, persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors, have increased by about 40 percent among young people in this country .
In 2022, 8.8% of children lived in food insecure households and 1 in 5 children were at risk of hunger. Several federal and state programs are working to address these and other social and developmental needs so that all children can reach their full potential. Unfortunately, these programs sometimes lack coordination, resulting in missed opportunities for prevention and early intervention in the communities and places where children spend time.
Fortunately, health systems like Nemours Childrens Health are working with federal lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in an effort to make a coordinated approach to children’s health care a reality. The bipartisan, bicameral Kickstarting Innovative Demonstrations Supporting Kids Health Act was introduced in the US House and Senate. This bill would establish a holistic approach to children’s health care by integrating mental and physical health services for children and youth who are eligible for both Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
We are proud to work together on this bill with U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, as well as Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., and Dr. Michael Burgess, R-Texas. The CHILD Health Act will make it easier for children to receive the coordinated and comprehensive mental and physical care they deserve.
How it works? The KIDS Health Act would establish a cornerstone within the health system to enable work with community partners to address social determinants of health, such as lack of nutritious food and reliable access to transportation. This would be done by enabling states to design economically sustainable models for improving the training of their health workforce and improving health information technology systems to better facilitate data sharing, early intervention and coordination of the ‘care among the sectors that serve children the same approaches that have better served children and youth in Delaware.
States participating in this model would have the flexibility to decide how to improve child care in their communities based on their unique needs. By integrating primary care and mental health programs into school settings, for example, we can promote equitable access to care by knowing children where they are and playing a vital role in early detection. Also, parents shouldn’t have to miss work due to traveling to the doctor’s office, and students shouldn’t have to lose valuable class time.
We’re already seeing how coordinated physical and mental health care is dramatically improving the lives of children in our home state of Delaware. For example, in one case, a student was recently prescribed medication to treat his anxiety but refused to take the medication. A trusted care coordinator at a primary care practice learned that the students’ family was facing challenges putting food on the table.
Unfortunately, the medication was an appetite stimulant and the family was unable to meet the child’s nutritional needs. The care coordinator connected the family to a food bank to meet their immediate needs, and the food bank also connected the family to additional resources. The young patient was finally able to take his medication and begin the journey to healing.
In another example, a student was struggling at school. Through an innovative data-sharing partnership between Delaware schools, health systems and participating families, a pediatric health system received an alert that the student had missed more than 10 days of school. A care coordinator investigated the situation and discovered bullying as the main reason for so many missed days. The care coordinator continued to work with the school and the child’s family to resolve the issue. Soon after, the boy felt comfortable going back to school.
The Children’s Health Act seeks to go far beyond medicine to build a stronger health system that supports healthy children. Healthy children grow into healthy adults who create a thriving economy, a capable military, and a brighter future for our nation.
We know that the foundation for adult health and well-being is built during childhood. As a nation, we have an opportunity to invest in comprehensive models of child health that focus on keeping children healthy, rather than managing their care once they are sick.
The Children’s Health Act gives states the resources to identify challenges and create innovative solutions while keeping more children healthy and thriving.
We urge Congress to pass the Children’s Health Act to help our nation’s children live healthier, more fulfilled lives and strengthen our great nation for generations to come.
Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., is chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee.
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