Sen. Ossoff-Backed Bipartisan Bill Passes Senate to Expand Emergency Medical Care for Georgia Children

Atlanta, Ga. - U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is expanding emergency medical care for kids across Georgia.

Last week, the Senate passed the bipartisan Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation backed by Sen. Ossoff to improve the pediatric medical care for severely ill and injured child.

The bipartisan bill reauthorizes the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program for 5 years, which provides Federal funding to expand resources and improve emergency medical services for children. The Program also awards grants to state governments and medical schools to support emergency medical services for children who need treatment for trauma or critical care.

According to the Emergency Nurses Association, 30 million children and adolescents visit emergency departments in the United States each year.

"Every child needs access to high-quality emergency medical care," Sen. Ossoff said. "This bipartisan bill will strengthen life-saving medical care for ill and injured children in Georgia and across the country."

Sen. Ossoff continues working to ensure children across Georgia have access to the medical care they need.

Last month, Sen. Ossoff co-sponsored the bipartisan SCREEN for Type 1 Diabetes Act to establish a Type 1 diabetes public awareness campaign and urge people to get screened. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Type 1 diabetes can occur in all ages but is the most common type of diabetes in children.

In October, Sen. Ossoff delivered $7.2 million in Federal resources to Community Health Centers across Georgia through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to strengthen access to mental health and substance abuse treatment.

In September, Sen. Ossoff delivered $875,000 in Federal grant funding through the Drug-Free Communities Support Programs (DFC), which will empower 7 community programs that promote drug-free environments for Georgia's youth in Barrow, Bartow, Coffee, DeKalb, Elbert, Fulton, and Jenkins Counties.

In March, Sen. Ossoff delivered $1,205,656 in Federal funding through the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program to help Egleston Children's Hospital at Emory University train and retain more pediatric physicians.

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