Families have been doing their best to safeguard children from COVID-19 by masking, getting vaccinated and encouraging loved ones to do so, and practicing other safety measures. These efforts will continue to be critical given the resurgence of COVID-19, as well as an earlier-than-usual respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season, which collectively produce major strains on the frontline health care worker heroes at children's hospitals.
The federal government has the resources to ensure the stability of America's children's health system and children's hospitals. The Biden Administration can direct support to pediatric hospitals through existing provider relief funding. Tens of billions of dollars are available and have not yet been released. Congress should fund new pediatric capacity and support workforce retention with infrastructure legislation to help children's hospitals and their doctors, nurses and support staff care for kids, especially those in crisis.
Share your voice and encourage the Biden Administration and Congress to support children's hospitals. We must ensure that these life-saving hospitals do not get left behind.
Dear lawmaker,
As your constituent, I am writing to voice my concern about the strain being placed on children's hospitals and the frontline healthcare workers who are faced with the COVID-19 pandemic and crisis, and to offer a solution.
With less than half of the 12 to 17 age group vaccinated against COVID-19, and children under 12 currently ineligible for the vaccine, the surging Delta variant has hospitalized thousands of children. In addition to the Delta variant, typical childhood viruses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as the ongoing mental, emotional, and behavioral health crisis are all stretching children's hospitals to their limit.
There is a solution that will strengthen America's pediatric health care safety net. Congress can and must include funding for building new and different pediatric capacity and support workforce retention and expansion through infrastructure legislation.
The pandemic has taken a toll on the doctors and nurses working on the front lines in children's hospitals who are experiencing distress and "burn out." With some rethinking their careers and livelihoods amid a national shortage of health care workers, children's hospitals are experiencing capacity constraints due to staffing.
Our nation's children's hospitals will continue to struggle to keep up with the growing demands in the months ahead--unless you take action now to fund expanded pediatric capacity and support workforce retention.
Sincerely,
[your name]
