And her parents shouldn t have to watch her suffer unnecessarily through any illness. Even better, all children should be able to see a pediatrician when they are well to prevent problems before they start. For example, immunizations in the first few years of life are critical to keep children protected from terrible diseases and to protect those around them. And for pregnant women, prenatal care helps to ensure that their newborns will be born healthy, without the worries and costs that come with a sick or premature baby. Catching potential or existing health problems early can mean the difference between a quick and easy solution or a long, painful, costly treatment or worse, an illness which has progressed to a point that is no longer treatable.
Pediatricians wish for every child a quick diagnosis, an effective treatment and a speedy recovery.
But we can t help the children we don t see. And sometimes we can t help the children we see too late. No child should have to wait for the health care services he needs. The American Academy of Pediatrics wants all children in this country to have health care coverage from the moment they arrive, whether that arrival is by birth or immigration. We commend those congressional members working to bring this population under the umbrella of health care coverage that all children deserve.