Congressman Cohen Leads Letter Seeking Declaration of a Pediatric Health Emergency

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today led a letter with ten Members of Congress asking President Biden and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to declare a pediatric health emergency to address the worsening public health crisis involving children.

The letter reads in part:

“With many of our nation’s pediatric hospitals operating at or near capacity due to a surge in the number of pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and mental health patients, we urge you to declare a pediatric health emergency to support a national response to assist with children’s health.

“We appreciate your administration’s willingness to provide assistance to pediatric health care providers in need of help on a case-by-case basis, but we believe the scope of the problem merits proactive measures. Pediatric hospitals across the country are seeing a spike in RSV and influenza cases. As we know from the COVID-19 pandemic, contagious respiratory illnesses can quickly overwhelm hospitals and staff, resulting in shortages in workforce and other resources. Beyond RSV and influenza, pediatric beds are also being used for an increasing number of pediatric mental health patients who have nowhere else to go. As of November 16, 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services reported that 79% of pediatric hospital beds were full nationwide and seven states reported capacity levels above 90%. Leading experts project that the incidence rates of respiratory disease will continue to increase throughout the winter, putting further strain on hospitals that are already operating near capacity.”

See the entire letter here.

The letter was signed by Representatives Cohen and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Jamaal Bowman of New York, Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Abigail Davis Spanberger of Virginia, Jennifer Wexton of Virginia, Kathy Manning of North Carolina, Katie Porter of California, Donald S. Beyer Jr. of Virginia, John B. Larson of Connecticut and Jahana Hayes of Connecticut.

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