Last week the Subcommittee on Health of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing and approved a new version of the bipartisan ACE Kids Act, which would provide Medicaid reimbursement for states that choose to establish health homes for children with medically complex conditions, in order to better coordinate their care. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) and Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), is a high priority for Rep. Barton, who is retiring from Congress at the end of the year. Family Voices and other children’s health organizations have been providing input to committee staff with the aim of ensuring that families would have a choice about whether their children will participate in a health-home program, among other things. There is a similar companion bill in the Senate, which has been referred to the Finance Committee. An explanation of the bill can be found in the subcommittee background memo (p. 1-2). More information can be found on the website of the Children’s Hospital Association, which has promoted the legislation.
Encourage confidence to act
