ENA Applauds Increased Funding for the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program as Part of Omnibus Appropriations Bill

DES PLAINES, Ill. – The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) applauds Congress for including $22.3 million in funding – a $2.2 million increase over last year – for the Emergency Medical Services for Children program as part of the fiscal year 2018 omnibus appropriations bill. The President’s budget proposal had called for the elimination of the EMSC program.

 The EMSC program has made landmark improvements to the emergency care delivered to children across the nation. EMSC funds are used at the state level to ensure hospitals and ambulances are properly equipped to treat pediatric emergencies, provide pediatric training to paramedics and first responders and improve the systems that allow for efficient, effective pediatric emergency medical care. As the only federal program dedicated to improving emergency care for children, EMSC has brought vital attention and resources to an otherwise neglected population.

ENA has been a longtime supporter of high-quality pediatric emergency care and the EMSC program. Over the past several years, ENA joined with other leading healthcare organizations in urging Congress to continue supporting federal funding for improving emergency medical services for children.