The epic blizzard did not derail New York pediatricians from using their voices. As they do every year, pediatricians from across New York came together for the Academy of Pediatrics’ Advocacy Day to champion the health, safety, and well-being of all children. While the snow shifted meetings from Albany to Zoom, pediatricians logged on and heard from Andrew Racine MD, PhD, the President of the Academy of Pediatrics, James McDonald MD, the NYS Commissioner of the Department of Health, and Senator Gustavo Rivera, the Chair of the NYS Senate Health Committee, as well as many other advocacy leaders. Pediatricians then met with state legislators and their staff to advocate for issues from vaccines to early literacy, and the message was clear: smart, sustained investment in children pays dividends for families, and communities.
Vaccine Access & Coverage
Advocates urged support for legislation that aligns New York State vaccine schedules with national standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Importantly, both the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have already adopted the 2026 AAP schedule. Codifying this alignment in state law ensures that future recommendations remain consistent, evidence-based, and easy for families and providers to follow.
Keep Children Covered
Pediatricians see firsthand how gaps in coverage disrupt care. Streamlining recertification through existing programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC can prevent children from falling through the cracks. Advocates asked state legislators to protect coverage by investing in facilitated enrollment, implementing a data-driven, automatic renewal system, and supporting federal efforts like the Keep Kids Covered Act.
Sustaining the Workforce
Access to quality care depends on a stable pediatric workforce, but inadequate reimbursement is threatening that stability. Advocates called for payment parity between Medicaid Managed Care and fee-for-Service rates for well-child visits and an investment in a Pediatric Technical Assistance Center to support practices.
Strengthening Nutrition Supports: Expanding WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a cornerstone of early childhood health, yet it currently reaches only about two-thirds of eligible families. A $30 million investment would expand access and ensure more families receive critical nutrition support. This is especially urgent as federal changes impact SNAP.
Early Intervention Reform
Early Intervention programs serve infants and toddlers with developmental delays during a critical window of brain development. Yet across New York, provider shortages are limiting access, and without action, the gap between need and access will continue to widen. Despite a 5% rate increase approved two years ago, delays in federal approval have stalled implementation, so advocates asked for immediate implementation of the pending increase, an additional 8% rate increase to retain providers, support for comprehensive EI reform legislation, and loan forgiveness programs to sustain and grow the workforce.
Investing in HealthySteps
HealthySteps is an evidence-based model that integrates child development specialists into pediatric primary care, supporting both children and their caregivers together. New York has invested in startup funding, but without sustainable reimbursement, many programs risk closure. A proposed Medicaid rate add-on would provide the stability needed to maintain and expand these services, helping families navigate early childhood challenges and strengthen parent-child relationships.
Prescribing Reading Through Reach Out and Read
Through Reach Out and Read, pediatricians “prescribe” reading at well-child visits, providing books and guidance to families. With 95 practices currently on a waiting list, a $3 million investment could bring this cost-effective program (just $20 per child per year!) to thousands more children across New York.
NY4ALL
Nearly 38% of children in New York live in immigrant families. Policies that create fear or instability directly impact their health and well-being. Advocates supported both the Governor’s budget provisions and the NY4ALL legislation to protect sensitive locations like healthcare settings and schools from warrantless federal actions and prevent state and local resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement.
The theme throughout the day was that small investments in a child’s health early on will exponentially pay off later. For pediatricians, advocacy is not separate from care, it is an extension of it.