Since our inception in 1940, the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP) has had a singular focus; to advocate and promote the highest quality, evidence-based health care to our nation’s children. This advocacy, though inherently political, has never been about partisan politics, and we have proudly collaborated with other pediatric organizations, -our parent organization the American Osteopathic Organization (AOA), and members of all political parties regardless of the governing administration at the time. We pledge to continue to stand firm in our principles of providing evidence-based care to our nation’s children and remaining a fierce advocate for our patients, their families, and our profession regardless of the challenges we may face.
During our almost 85 years as the medical home for all osteopathically trained pediatricians we have seen many advancements in the field of medicine and public health, though none have more of an impact in the health of our children than the creation of vaccines and the advancement of a globalized and standardized method in which these vaccines are given to children and adults. Through the efforts of physician-scientists, researchers, and public health advocates, we have bene able to see the elimination of numerous debilitating and often fatal diseases that plagued generations before us. We have seen in recent years the effects of decreased vaccination, most notably with the continued increase of localized measles outbreaks, now up over 20% from prior years.
With the recent nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), access to these cost-effective, lifesaving, preventative measures is at risk of being challenged, and as pediatricians, it will be extremely important that we continue to advocate for a seat at the decision-making table. As physicians, we must ensure that all decisions regarding the life and health of our nation’s children remain firmly based in science and the evidence as we publicly correct all mis- and dis-information. We know the science has proven vaccines to be safe, effective, and imperative in protecting the lives of our patients.
We also know that without access to high quality medical care, our nation’s children cannot thrive, and programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have been instrumental in securing both access and coverage for pediatric preventative and interventional health care with near 50% of US children benefiting from these programs. These programs also fall under HHS purview, and we look forward to working with our colleagues to ensure that these programs remain viable and easily accessible to everyone who needs these foundational resources.
The ACOP will continue to support all osteopathic pediatricians and pediatricians-in-training, providing you with the science, evidence, and education you need to confidently care for your patients and their families. Now we are calling on all of us to stand up and make sure that that same evidence and education reaches the policymakers charged with ensuring that access to these resources remains open and unobstructed by political maneuvering. The health and future of our nation depends on it.
