Pete Sessions: “Freestanding children's hospitals are disadvantaged under the current federal GME (Graduate Medical Education) funding…”

“Freestanding children's hospitals are disadvantaged under the current federal GME (Graduate Medical Education) funding structure. GME is principally funded through the Medicare program. Teaching hospitals receive funding based on the number of patients that they treat. Because children's hospitals treat few Medicare patients, they receive no significant federal support for GME. Children's hospitals receive on average less than one-half of one percent (0.5%) of what other teaching facilities receive in federal GME funding. This grant program would provide GME support for children's hospitals that is commensurate with federal GME support that other teaching facilities receive under Medicare. Training programs are necessary to ensure quality health care for children. The education and training programs of these institutions are critical to the future of pediatric medicine and therefore to the future health of all children. In 1998, Children's Medical Center of Dallas served as the training site for 77 pediatric residents. Although hospitals like 'Children's Med. Center of Dallas' represent less than 1% of all hospitals in the country, independent children's teaching hospitals are responsible for training nearly 30% of all pediatricians, nearly half of all pediatric subspecialties and train over 5% of all residents nationwide.”