ALBANY, N.Y., July 19 – The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), District II, New York State has released a report to urge state leaders to keep their promise to New Yorks children and deliver high quality, accessible health coverage to all children starting this year.

The report, entitled Building Blocks for a Medical Home for Every Child: The American Academy of Pediatrics District II, New York States Proposal for Universal Health Care for the Children of New York, provides a blueprint for the state to provide a Medical Home for every child. A Medical Home is defined as an office or clinic where children, parents, and pediatricians are partners in providing high-quality, effective health care.

According to the AAP it is difficult for many families in New York State to access the specialty and sub-specialty care they need for their children. The AAP said that delivering universal health care for the 4.8 million children in the state will require additional financial support to secure the preventive, primary, acute, specialty, and sub-specialty care that are the core components of a childrens health care system.

As we move toward universal health care for children, it is imperative that our statewide system of public, subsidized, and private insurance provide appropriate coverage for the health care needs of newborns, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults in a Medical Home, explained Henry Schaeffer, MD, FAAP, chairman of AAP, District II. Since childrens health care is directly related to their age and developmental needs, a package of comprehensive benefits focused on age-specific population groups is the only real way to secure quality health care for all children.

Alan Lubin, executive director of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), said, When children have a Medical Home, they can better focus on their work of learning in the classroom. Our members look forward to working with the members of the AAP to ensure that every child has access to the high-quality health care they need and deserve.

We believe that New York State should start its move toward universal health care with a targeted effort to cover all children, said Dan Sisto, CEO of the Health Care Association of New York (HANYS). Our members look forward to the day that every patient has comprehensive universal coverage. Lets start with the children and get it done.

The AAP concluded that it is time for New York to design, implement, and support a universal health care system that can and does deliver high-quality health care to all the children in our state.