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MILWAUKEE (7/22/2011) - Baldwin Family Alarmed by Proposed Cuts to Medicaid and Pediatric Resident Training
 What: Jonathan Baldwin, age 18, Milwaukee, will join 30 other patients and families from children's hospitals across the country to speak with their members of Congress about the lifesaving specialty medical care they have needed and how the current budget debate needs to include protections for these services and access to care.
Why: Millions of children in the U.S. require special care at children's hospitals to address their health challenges. The budget crisis of 2011 is real and requires serious action, but it must be done in a way that does not threaten long-term negative impact on the state of children's health care by decreasing access to care and pediatric specialists.
* Half of all hospitalized children in Wisconsin are dependent on Medicaid, which covers 1 in 3 children overall in the U.S.
* Sixty percent of the residents from Children's Hospital of Wisconsin training program STAY in Wisconsin and join the medical community that takes care of our State's kids. Many go into primary care and join pediatric practices around the State. Several stay on to train in specialty care while others train to provide emergency services to children. Reduction in Children's Hospital of Wisconsin's ability to train residents will directly reduce the number of pediatricians that stay in our state.
Children already face waits of up to three months to see the physician they need; undermining Medicaid and CHGME may reduce access further.
Who: Jonathan is a happy 18-year-old who loves hanging out with friends, going to the mall and playing football. In 2009, Jonathan was the victim of an armed robbery and was shot seven times. He was in critical condition when he arrived at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. His sister, LaHelen received great care at Children's for asthma and Lupus, so it was a hospital his family trusted. While doctors worked to save Jonathan's life, his family began participating in Project Ujima, a Children's Hospital of Wisconsin program that helps victims of violent crime overcome the trauma they experienced through counseling and case management. Project Ujima taught them how to overcome the tragedy, prevent further victimization and end the cycle of violence. Today, Jonathan is a healthy college student who just finished his freshman year.
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