The ATS signed on to a recent letter to Congress led by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supporting funding for the Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program (PSLRP), which aims to help address shortages of child health providers through loan repayment, in the fiscal year 2021 health spending bill. The PSLRP provides child health professionals including pediatric pulmonary, critical care and sleep specialists, with up to $35,000 in loan repayment annually in exchange for practicing in an underserved area for at least two years.

The letter points out that shortages of pediatric providers are causing barriers to care for children around the country and that the needs for specialized care for children have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. It states, “Without a federal investment in the pediatric subspecialty physician workforce, children will continue to face long wait times for subspecialty care, possibly traveling long distances to receive that care, or going without care altogether.” The ATS will continue working with child health organizations including the AAP to ensure that Congress provides funding for the PSLRP.