Senate Passes ENA-Priority Bill

The EMSC Program Reauthorization Act now moves to President Trump for consideration

Schaumburg, Ill. (August 2, 2019) The Emergency Nurses Association applauds the Senate for passing the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program Reauthorization Act on Wednesday. This ENA-priority bill will ensure the EMSC program continues to provide critical support to emergency departments and EMS agencies across the country as they work to deliver high-quality, appropriate care to children and adolescents. ENA also applauds the work of Representative Peter King (R-NY) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) as the sponsors of the EMSC Program Reauthorization Act for their work in ensuring this critical program is continued.

Since its enactment in 1984, the EMSC program has served as the only federal program dedicated to improving emergency care for children and adolescents, bringing vital attention and resources to this important population. Through its grant programs and support for the Pediatric Emergency Care Research Network (PECARN), the EMSC program helps ensure that all kids - no matter where they live, attend school or travel – receive appropriate care during an emergency.

The EMSC bill has been a longtime priority for ENA and support for the bill was a leading request of lawmakers during 2019’s Day on the Hill. ENA President Patti Kunz Howard, PhD, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, NE-BC, FAEN, FAAN, testified in support of the legislation during a June 25 hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee. The bill had previously passed the House of Representatives on July 24. The bill now moves to President Trump to be signed into law.