NurseWeek

Senate passes children’s health bill

By Keith W. Murrow
September 26, 2000


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Washington (H24N). Calling it a "vote for America’s children," the Senate passed the Children’s Public Health Act of 2000 last week, which will focus on the safety of day care facilities, fighting drugs and improving children’s health.

"Children must be our top priority, and this legislation puts America’s children first," said Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) the bill’s author and sponsor. "Because some of the most critical children’s health issues are far too often the most neglected, we must begin refocusing efforts at the federal, state and local level to improve research and prevention activities for children and adolescents."

Frist, the Senate’s only licensed physician, designed the bill to amend the current Public Health Act, improving children’s health research and prevention programs conducted through federal public health agencies.

In addition, Frist divided the new health act into three categories focusing on children’s health issues, improving safety at day care facilities and preventing drug use.

The main focus of the bill would address injury prevention in children, namely traumatic brain injuries.

The bill also provides funding to improve prenatal care by identifying how birth defects and developmental disabilities like autism can be prevented. The bill also increases research funding for childhood asthma, oral health and lead poising.

Differences in a House version of the bill have been worked out; passage is expected by the beginning of this week.