Government Affairs

Position Statements

WIAAP is a separate entity from the American Academy of Pediatrics and thus can take any policy position deemed appropriate by the board of directors. As necessary, the chapter will refine national policy to be state-specific, often to clarify a legislative or administrative proposal. Often, position statements are developed in response to input from members on matters of importance. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to contact us with concerns you feel the chapter may wish to address.

Federal Affairs

The Washington, DC office of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been the Academy’s voice on federal issues impacting children and pediatricians for more than four decades. The Washington office houses the Department of Federal Affairs which works with AAP members to advance key health priorities through lobbying Congress, building coalitions and raising public awareness. Visit the AAP Federal Advocacy page for more information on how the AAP works to prioritize children’s health on the national policy agenda.

Key Federal Issues:

Gun Safety

Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy: On March 16, 2018, the Academy announced a new gun safety research initiative to bring together experts from around the country to study and implement evidence-based interventions. The Gun Safety and Injury Prevention Research Initiative is a call to action spurred by members who have been vocal about needing to do more to protect children. For more details on the initiative, please read this AAP News alert.

AAP has endorsed the bipartisan Age 21 Act, which would raise the minimum age for purchasing assault weapons and high-capacity magazines to 21, from the current age requirement of 18. Led by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), this legislation would harmonize the minimum purchase age with that already in effect for handguns. The AAP also supports Senator Feinstein’s legislation to ban assault weapons entirely. Both bills offer the chance at meaningful progress toward reducing access to these dangerous weapons.

Immigration

With revelations of separation of immigrant children from their parents at our southern borders, pediatricians have jumped into action, educating national news organizations on the effects of adverse childhood experiences and trauma on the long-term consequences of these dramatic policies. Thanks to the efforts of child health advocates nationwide, demands for policy change are at hand, while the fight continues to ensure the practices follow.

• Immigrant Child Health Toolkit
• AAP Policy Statement: Detention of Immigrant Children
• Protecting Immigrant Children – Federal advocacy and policy resources

Medicaid

AAP sent a coalition letter to the US Department of Health and Human Services expressing opposition to work requirements under a proposed 1115 waiver.

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