FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2008
CONTACT: Chris Boyle, Communications Manager
860.610.5701 or pager 860.220.3569

"TORRINGTON FAMILY TRAVELS TO WASHINGTON DC TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER AS PART OF FAMILY ADVOCACY DAY"

HARTFORD, Conn.— The Pagano family of Torrington traveled to Washington, DC on June 18 and 19 to speak with federal lawmakers about an issue of vital importance to them—the fate of children’s health care and the essential role that children’s hospitals play in the community. The meeting was part of national Family Advocacy Day, coordinated by the National Association of Children’s Hospitals.

The Pagano family is concerned about health care coverage, costs and continued access to the specialized and high quality of care provided by children’s hospitals. Currently pending in Congress is a bill that would stop implementation of rule changes to Medicaid totaling $12-15 billion in cuts. These proposed changes would drastically reduce important health care programs such as pediatric rehabilitation services and transportation of disabled children to and from schools. Furthermore, these cuts could negatively impact the care that children’s hospitals can provide and could curtail the delivery of health care services needed by children with some of the most serious health care needs.

"Connecticut Children’s Medical Center plays a crucial role in our community, providing innovative medical services and medical training tailored specifically to the needs of our children," said Matt Pagano, whose 4-year-old daughter Katie is a patient at Connecticut Children’s. "We went to Washington to show lawmakers our serious concern about changes to Medicaid, to tell our stories and champion the local children’s hospitals that have saved our children’s lives."

Katie Pagano was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia two years ago but because of the cutting edge, life-saving treatment provided by Connecticut Children’s, she now enjoys a normal life and is an otherwise a normal, happy, active and healthy child.

"Children’s hospitals provide care to the sickest and most vulnerable children in our nation, with approximately half of all patient care in children’s hospitals paid for by Medicaid," said Lawrence McAndrews, president and chief executive officer of the NACH. “Medicaid changes can harm children who represent half the enrollees in Medicaid.

June 18 and 19 was the fourth annual NACH Family Advocacy Day. The children who participated ranged in age from 1 to 19 years of age and are current or former patients of children’s hospitals. With diagnoses ranging from leukemia to cerebral palsy, the children and their parents hoped to raise awareness for the important specialized care that children’s hospitals provide, and to stress the significant role that SCHIP and Medicaid play in helping ensure that these valuable services are available to all children who need them.