Grassley, along with Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, received the award for their work on behalf of children with disabilities. The two senators worked together last year in support of their legislation to improve health coverage for special needs children.
The Grassley-Kennedy bill would help working parents with special needs children get the proper medical treatment for their children without becoming impoverished. Under current law, these families must strictly limit their income in order to qualify their children for Medicaid and federal disability benefits. The Family Opportunity Act raises the Medicaid threshold so that parents can continue working and still have access to Medicaid for their special needs child.
Although the Family Opportunity Act had widespread support among lawmakers last year, the bill was not brought up for a vote in the Senate. Grassley and Kennedy plan to reintroduce their bill this week for consideration in the 107th Congress.
"I'm honored to receive this fine award," Grassley said. "I've made a strong commitment to helping children with disabilities. I will continue my work with Sen. Kennedy to help these families get the health care their children desperately need."
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners is a non-profit specialty nursing organization that advocates for quality infant and child health care.