On the recordSeptember 20, 2011
I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education Support Reauthorization Act, offered by my good friends, Mr. Pitts and Mr. Pallone. I know Mr. Pallone is on his way to the floor and will be speaking shortly. This critical legislation will reauthorize the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education program through 2016 to ensure that our children have access to the care they need and deserve, and I urge my colleagues to pass this bill with unanimous support. The original bipartisan program was enacted over a decade ago to provide children's hospitals across the country with the Federal support to implement and carry out necessary residency training programs. Last year alone, over 50 children's hospitals received funding to carry out these training programs. Today, over 40 percent of pediatricians and pediatric specialists are trained through the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education program. This program is vital to maintaining the pediatric workforce and ensuring children's access to the highest levels of pediatric care provided in this country. The Children's Hospital GME program is a critical investment in our children's health, and I am proud today that we will vote to reauthorize this hugely successful program. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
