Kaine Joins Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Life-Saving Medical Care for Children Across Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, bipartisan legislation that would streamline access to life-saving medical care for children with complex medical conditions who receive care across state lines by eliminating unnecessary administrative work for health care providers.

“Children deserve medical attention as quickly as possible. In cases where that means crossing state lines, parents deserve to know that red tape won’t cause delays,” said Kaine. “This bipartisan legislation will help eliminate bureaucracy and ensure more families have access to life-saving care when they need it most.”

Under current Medicaid policy, in order for children to receive care across state lines, the providers must be enrolled in the Medicaid program that aligns with the child’s state of origin. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act would create a pathway for pediatric providers to enroll in multiple state Medicaid programs, thus eliminating unnecessary delays, reducing administrative burdens, and ensuring that children with Medicaid receive timely access to the specialized care they need.

As a member of the HELP Committee, Kaine has long fought to reduce barriers to accessing timely medical care. In June, Kaine reintroduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, legislation that would streamline the prior authorization process under Medicare Advantage plans to allow older Americans to access care faster. In May, Kaine also introduced the Access to Birth Control Act, legislation to guarantee timely access to birth control at pharmacies nationwide.

In addition to Kaine, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Boozman (R-AR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Krysten Sinema (I-AZ), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ted Budd (R-NC), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Jack Reed (D-RI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mike Braun (R-IN), Tim Scott (R-SC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Angus King (I-ME).

The bill text is available here.

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