[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 76 (Thursday, May 2, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3318-S3319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Casey):
  S. 4238. A bill to amend title III of the Public Health Service Act 
to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through 
the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, 
to award grants to eligible entities to carry out construction or 
modernization projects designed to strengthen and increase capacity 
within the specialized pediatric health care infrastructure, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce the Pediatric 
Access to Critical Health Care, PATCH Act. This legislation would boost 
our continued efforts to support our Nation's healthcare safety net for 
kids across America.
  The PATCH Act would provide $6 billion over 10 years to increase 
pediatric healthcare capacity and improve dedicated children's 
hospitals and pediatric preparedness response. These funds will 
prioritize increased critical care capacity and telehealth technology, 
as well as address attentive care workforce shortages, particularly for 
high Medicaid providers who serve child populations with the greatest 
health disparities. Matching requirements supporting contributions from 
the private sector would double the impact of this Federal investment, 
greatly increasing pediatric healthcare capacity for all children 
across the country.
  Children represent over 20 percent of the Nation's population and 
have unique health needs. As a result, pediatric hospital facilities, 
which are at the frontline of care for children, require separate 
investments to provide appropriate treatment and care and have not kept 
up with the level of need.

[[Page S3319]]

  I would like to thank Congressman Cardenas for leading this 
legislation in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to 
working with my colleagues to enact the Pediatric Access to Critical 
Health Care Act as soon as possible.
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