Why do pediatricians need to advocate for children’s health care?
Pediatricians are in a unique position to bear witness to the failures of our health care system. All children need access to high-quality health care so that they can thrive, grow and reach their full potential. I believe it’s a fundamental human right. But today 9 million children in the United States don’t have health insurance. As physicians, we need to advocate for change. That means all pediatricians need the ability to work in communities, interact with the media and engage in child health policy, whether at a local school board meeting or in Washington, D.C. What’s the biggest challenge facing kids’ health care today? We need to ensure universal coverage for children. I’m grateful that the Obama administration has approved the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which will extend health care coverage to more children whose families could not otherwise afford it. And while our cur-rent financial situation presents a challenge, I am hopeful that the new administrat
