{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswomen-schrier-and-underwood-introduce-bill-lower-costs-increase-access", "Congresswomen Schrier and Underwood Introduce Bill to Lower Costs, Increase Access to Pediatric Care", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Kim Schrier", "S001216", "schrier.house.gov", "schrier", "https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the Helping Families Access Pediatric Care Act alongside Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14). This legislation intends to make pediatric care more affordable by tackling the financial burden caused by high deductibles.\n\n\u201cAs a pediatrician, I know that costs, such as deductibles, are financial barriers that often prevent families from taking their children to the doctor,\u201d said Congresswoman Schrier. \u201cThis delay in care can be detrimental to children\u2019s health, leading mild illnesses to turn severe. For example, a mild pneumonia that the pediatrician could treat with oral antibiotics could turn into a severe case that would require an ER visit, hospitalization, and IV antibiotics. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to introduce this legislation to lower costs and make sure that no parent needs to make the difficult decision between taking their child to the doctor and putting food on the table.\"\n\nSpecifically, the Helping Families Access Pediatric Care Act will:\n\nEnsure all outpatient, pediatric care is not subject to a deductible.\n\nEnsure telehealth visits for pediatric care are not subject to a deductible.\n\nAuthorize a study to track the impact on families.\n\n\u201cAll children should be able to receive the health care they need, when they need it. Yet, pediatricians see first-hand how deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs can create major barriers for families trying to access timely care and services, and we know that children\u2019s health suffers when care is delayed,\u201d said AAP President Ben Hoffman, MD, FAAP. \u201cThe Helping Families Access Pediatric Care Act would work to improve access and affordability for children and families, no matter their source of health care coverage. The American Academy of Pediatrics applauds Representatives Kim Schrier, MD, FAAP (D-Wash.) and Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) for their ongoing commitment to and leadership on this important issue and calls on lawmakers to advance this bill without delay.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswomen-schrier-and-underwood-introduce-bill-lower-costs-increase-access"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3573439791798592, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}