Grassley, Bennet Launch Bill to Improve Kids’ Access to Life-Saving Medical Care

Download video HERE

WASHINGTON – Senate Finance Committee Members Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve health care access for children with complex medical conditions. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act simplifies out-of-state Medicaid screening and enrollment processes for pediatric care providers, while retaining key safeguards to preserve the integrity of the program. Rep. Mariannettee Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“Moms and dads seeking life-saving care for their kids should be able to access it quickly and wherever it’s available. Families shouldn’t have to trip over red tape to reach the most effective specialist, treatment or procedure, whether around the corner or across state lines. Our bill simplifies the process so parents can ensure children with a rare disease or cancer diagnosis get the right specialized medical care,” Grassley said.

“For children with complex medical conditions, bureaucratic red tape should not be an obstacle to care. This bipartisan legislation will make it easier for families to navigate our health care system and relieve some of the stress that they face to get their kids the care they need when they need it,” Bennet said.

Click HERE to download broadcast-quality video of Grassley discussing the legislation.

Click HERE for text of the legislation.

Background:

Children with complex medical conditions cannot always secure specialized care in their home states. When this happens, parents must work with their in-state providers and Medicaid officials to identify out-of-state providers who do offer that care. The process is riddled with regulatory hurdles that often delay, or even prohibit, children from receiving critical medical treatments. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act would alleviate these burdens for families, as well as providers.

The legislation builds off the Grassley-Bennet ACE Kids Act, which was signed into law in 2019. Following the bill’s enactment, the lawmakers closely monitored implementation to ensure it would be executed as Congress intended. 

Grassley was recognized in December 2024 for his persistent efforts to support children with disabilities and complex medical conditions. Learn more HERE.

Support for the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act:

This bill is backed by children’s hospitals, patients and research organizations nationwide, including in Iowa. View a community letter of support from 213 organizations and hospitals HERE.

“As a specialty pediatric healthcare provider serving thousands of children and young adults with complex medical needs, ChildServe strongly supports the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act,” said Teri Wahlig, M.D., ChildServe CEO. “This bipartisan legislation prioritizes access to quality healthcare, critical services and specialists for children with complex medical conditions by simplifying, standardizing and streamlining the referral process. It creates a more efficient pathway for children to receive the timely care they need. We are grateful to Senator Grassley and Senator Bennett for their continued dedication to advocating for children with complex medical needs.”

“Blank Children’s Hospital and UnityPoint Health applauds Senator Grassley’s continued effort to champion solutions to improve access to care for children with complex medical conditions. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act proposes to reduce delays for children who rely on Medicaid in receiving the pediatric specialty care they need to survive and thrive.? Providers in Iowa offer exceptional pediatric care, but rural states often lack all the emerging treatment options necessary for children with complex medical conditions. Iowa families rely on coordinated care between their local pediatric providers and pediatric specialty teams from across the country. Their child’s life depends on it. This legislation will make a difference to countless children by increasing their access to pediatric specialty care in timely manner,” said Dr. Amy Groen, Medical Director, Blank Children’s Hospital & Women’s Services.

"As a pediatric oncologist, I have firsthand experience with the barriers families face pursuing cancer treatment.  Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children, yet access to new therapies and research is grossly inadequate.  Sadly, our families are further challenged navigating Medicaid's approval process to reach out-of-state experts and treatments while their children's lives hang in the balance. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act will reduce barriers to care for our patients, allowing them timely access to the experts they need," added Dr. Wendy Woods-Swafford, Chief Medical Officer, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines.

“This legislation will be a lifeline for families across the country facing childhood cancer,” said E. Anders Kolb, MD, President and CEO of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “By streamlining the Medicaid provider screening and enrollment process, we'll spare families the anguish of needless treatment delays at a time when every day counts. We thank Senators Grassley and Bennet for introducing this bill and urge Congress to pass it quickly. Kids can’t wait.” 

“We are thrilled to see this important legislation reintroduced. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act has the potential to save lives. Our children must receive specialized care on their own timelines, without bureaucratic interference. We thank Sens. Grassley and Bennet for their work on behalf of our families,” said Mike Henry, Director of Advocacy, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

Additional cosponsors of the legislation are Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).

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