Peter King: “today I rise as a strong supporter of H.R. 2464, the Wakefield Act, which will reauthorize the Emergency Medical…”

“today I rise as a strong supporter of H.R. 2464, the Wakefield Act, which will reauthorize the Emergency Medical Services for Children program for an additional 4 years. Since the program began in 1984, EMSC grants have helped all 50 States to better prepare their health systems to treat children in an emergency. The EMSC program has improved the availability of child-appropriate equipment in ambulances and emergency departments, supported hundreds of programs to prevent injuries, and provided thousands of hours of training to EMTs, paramedics, and other emergency medical care providers. In my home State of New York, EMSC funds are going toward the development of a statewide, standardized system that recognizes hospitals capable of managing pediatric emergencies, both trauma and medical. This will enhance the State's ability to transfer injured children to the hospital best suited to their treatment. New York is also utilizing EMSC funds to ensure that all ambulances have the essential pediatric equipment and supplies for prehospital pediatric emergency care. Across the country, EMSC is enabling State and local emergency care providers to better treat children. The projects funded under EMSC are vital for the safety and well-being of America's children and have saved countless lives throughout the program's existence.”