Improve Medicaid Access and Quality for Children
We support efforts to improve access to care by increasing reimbursement to Medicare rates. Furthermore, we support the development of pediatric quality measures to insure that children whose health care is financed by Medicaid receive high quality pediatric evaluation, screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Mental Health Parity for Children
We support efforts to improve access to child mental health services. Furthermore, legislation that mandates parity in insurance coverage for outpatient and inpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment and services for children is strongly supported by the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Improve Child Passenger Safety
We support legislation that mandates the use of booster seats, requires rear seating position for infants and children, removes the nursing child exemption, requires all children to be restrained on all trips, and makes low-cost child restraints available for families with low income.

Reduce Childhood Exposure to Environmental Hazards
We support legislation to reduce prenatal and childhood exposure to methyl mercury, lead, and other environmental contaminants in homes, schools, and communities. Furthermore, we support legislation that would change current state law such that pollution standards would be based on protection of children, not adults.

Reduce Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Tobacco Use by Children
We support legislation prohibiting smoking in worksites, restaurants and bars, on school property, and in enclosed indoor areas or automobiles where a child is present. Furthermore, we support stiffer penalties for sale of tobacco to children.