Children's Hospitals Today - Summer 2014 - (Page 2)

editor'snote Summer 2014 | Vol. 22 No. 3 Coming together for kids EDITORIAL STAFF Here's your behind-the-scenes look at an 'ace' event. I t was standing room only in the briefing room at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Late arrivals spilled into the hallway, craning their necks to get a view of the press conference through the doorway as laughter and applause echoed throughout the marble halls. Of the roughly 120 people in attendance, there were five TV camera crews, five print reporters, one current and one former Association board member, five legislators, 18 Association staff members and four families from children's hospitals. These onlookers where there for one reason: to learn what children's hospitals propose to do to improve care for children with medical complexity. After nearly four years of work by children's hospitals, legislation based on the Association's Medicaid reform proposal was introduced in June in the House of Representatives. Reps. Joe Barton (RTX) and Kathy Castor (D-FL), along with several bipartisan co-sponsors, introduced the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act of 2014 (for more on the legislation and the press event, see pages 34 and 38). There is growing urgency for improving care for children with medical complexity, a rapidly growing patient population that accounts for 33 percent of growth in new patients in children's hospitals. Today, one in 25 children is medically complex. Vice President, Communications Angie leondedis Thanks to advances in medicine, many children with complexities who once had high mortality rates are now surviving into adulthood (see page 44 for reality TV star Jennifer Arnold's story). The ACE Kids Act would help optimize their care before they transition to adult medicine by allowing for better care coordination through nationally designated networks that cross state lines under Medicaid. The networks would also employ quality standards essential to improving care and saving money. The proposed networks, backed by more than 60 of the nation's leading children's hospitals, would engage states, families, children's hospitals and other providers. This bill introduction is just the first step in advancing Medicaid legislation. With an active bill in Congress, now is the time to speak now for kids and make our voices heard. Visit speaknowforkids.org to learn about how you can get involved. AmAndA BertHolf Managing Editor Amanda Bertholf Art Director eric Gapsch Graphic Designer deanna Yesko Advertising Vikki Sara Contributors leslie fischer tim Haynes Carla Hronek John Knapp tina logsdon michelle lunbeck liz Parry denise taylor EDITORIAL OFFICE 6803 W. 64th Street overland Park, KS, 66202 for information or customer service, call 888-565-2422. for subscription inquiries, questions or to submit an article, email magazine@childrenshospitals.org. Visit our website: childrenshospitals.net/ childrenshospitalstoday. Children's Hospitals Today is published quarterly by the Childrenʼs Hospital Association. Copyright 2014. this magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the publisher's written permission. magazine@childrenshospitals.org Pat magoon, President and Ceo, Ann & robert H. lurie Childrenʼs Hospital of Chicago, opened the press conference. ADVERTISING INFORMATION display and digital advertising is available. for rates and media kit information, email vikki.sara@childrenshospitals.org or call 202-753-5357. Join the conversation @hospitals4kids @speaknowforkids childrenshospitals speaknowforkids youtube.com/user/Hospitals4KidstV n Kevin Alle http://www.speaknowforkids.org http://www.childrenshospitals.net/childrenshospitalstoday http://www.childrenshospitals.net/childrenshospitalstoday http://www.youtube.com/user/Hospitals4KidstV

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Children's Hospitals Today - Summer 2014

Children's Hospitals Today - Summer 2014
Contents
Editor's note
Chairman's message
First person
Reader commentary
Transforming care
Everyday hero
Noteworthy
How to save 18%
Landing among the stars
Hands-on play time
Pass it on
Speaking up
Public policy update
Board member Q&A
Child's story

Children's Hospitals Today - Summer 2014