The 2025 AAP Advocacy Conference

Earlier this month, nearly 400 pediatricians representing 44 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico gathered for the 2025 AAP Advocacy Conference where they urged lawmakers to reject any funding cuts to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  This year’s conference and visits to Capitol Hill came at a pivotal moment, as the week before the conference, the U.S. House of Representatives took the first step in the budget reconciliation process by narrowly adopting a budget resolution that would effectively require sweeping funding cuts to Medicaid and CHIP.  Nine Ohio Pediatricians attended, including six from Cincinnati (myself, Community Pediatrician Denise Warrick, Neonatologist Emily Miller, Peds Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician Caitlin Chicoine, Public Health Pediatrician Michelle Burch and Peds Endocrine Fellow Chineze Ebo)

During the first two days of the conference, we had the opportunity to hone our advocacy skills, learn about key issues impacting child health and hear from several inspiring speakers.  AAP President Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, shared her own advocacy story and reflected on the first few months of her presidency.  She told attendees that sharing data alone is not enough; pediatricians must share their stories with policymakers to influence needed change.  She encouraged all of us to be a force of nature and turn our anxiety over the future of child health into a wave of advocacy.  AAP CEO/Executive Vice President Mark Del Monte, J.D., reminded us that advocacy is indeed in the DNA of Pediatricians and that the AAP non-partisan, but 100% pro-child.   We then had the opportunity to attend workshops on effective child health communication, mental health, gun violence prevention and immunizations. 

The second day focused on preparing us for our Capitol Hill meetings, learning more about why cuts in Medicaid and CHIP would be so damaging to child health.  The day ended with a fireside chat with Rep. Kim Schier, the only Pediatrician currently in Congress.  She reminded us that WE ARE experts in child health, that legislators want to hear from us, and that our voices do matter.  She urged more pediatricians to run for elected office to ensure children have a voice in government.

On Day 3, the conference culminated with a trip to Capitol Hill, where we met with legislators to advocate to keep Medicaid and CHIP strong. The Ohio delegation was able to meet with an aid from Senator Moreno’s office.  Unfortunately, no one was available from newly appointed Senator Husted’s office, but we did leave information with one of his staffers.  We then split up to meet with our Representatives, and the Cincinnati contingency met with an aid from Representative Landman’s office.  That same day, the AAP encouraged all pediatricians across the country to email their Senators and Representatives to advocate against cuts to Medicaid and CHIP.  This call to advocacy resulted in more than 1,100 emails to legislators in the days following the conference. 

Given all the recent challenges to child health and the uncertainty over the past few months, it was so inspiring and empowering to be with almost 400 pediatric advocacy warriors, who shared the same passion and conviction for child health.  It was an exhausting three days (I logged 17,000 steps on the day of the Hill visit), but I left DC feeling like my cup had been filled. 

I would encourage all of you to attend the AAP Advocacy Conference next year, which will be held April 12-14, 2026.  Closer to home, the Ohio Chapter, AAP will be hosting an Advocacy Day at the Ohio Statehouse on April 10.  Join us for a day of learning and advocacy for our firearm and suicide prevention program, Store it Safe, the importance of vaccines, and Ohio Medicaid.   

Details can be found here: https://ohioaap.org/springmeeting/

Chris Peltier, MD, FAAP

Pediatric Associates of Mount Carmel, Inc., Immediate Past President, Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics