Legislation

Legislative Update 2009

Welcome to the MO Chapter, AAP Legislative Information Center!

The Legislative Committee has been energized by an addition of distinguished pediatric colleagues. From Kansas City we have Dr. Molly Droge.  Dr. Droge is Chair of the AAP Committee on State Government Affairs and past president of the Texas AAP chapter. Dr. Droge, whose work on behalf of children is not only recognized in Missouri but nationwide, provides invaluable input. Also from Kansas City is our newest member, Dr. Elizabeth Simpson. Dr. Simpson is a General Pediatrician at Children’s Mercy Hospital and the Medical Director of the Routine Newborn Nursery at Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill. From Mizzou, our committee includes Dr. Kristin Sohl, Assistant Professor of Clinical Child Health, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at MU Thompson Center for Autism, University of Missouri Health Care. We are grateful for the participation of Dr. Sarah Garwood from Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. Dr. Garwood is no stranger to her colleagues in the MoAAP. She also serves on the MoAAP Board and on the Membership Committee. Also from St. Louis, we have great input from Dr. Sandra McKay. Dr. McKay is a pediatrician from Cardinal Glennon. MoAAP members are fortunate to have dedicated physicians. If you would like to become involved on this committee, we would welcome your participation. There is strength in numbers! Please check our website often for ongoing issues. To stay informed of legislative actions, send  your email to Johanna Echols <jbechols@embarqmail.com>

Our committee meets regularly via conference calls to discuss issues concerning advocacy. A Lobby Day in Jefferson City is on our radar in February or March, please log on to our website and check the date. If you would like to attend this event let us know so we can communicate and organize our descent on our Missouri Lawmakers. Bills for the 2010 legislature will be filed in December, we are on alert to whatever we can do to make sure our children are a priority.

Although Lobby Day is important, I would like to stress it is never too early to get to know your legislators while they are at home be it state or federal level. The most significant impact with legislators is achievable when they are back in their communities with constituents who make themselves available anytime but also during the session. We can become “experts”  they would call on if issues arise they need to be educated about. We all can become a key contact. They know little about critical issues affecting children. We need to cultivate these relationships so they feel comfortable asking us questions . Even if you don’t have much time we would ask you to think about getting involved just once or twice a month and advocate for our most vulnerable population. There is no training necessary, just a genuine desire to make a difference. Thanks for caring, we appreciate everything you do!
Katie Plax, Chair, Legislative Affairs.

About Dr. Katie Plax

The Legislative Committee of the MO Chapter AAP is headed by Kathryn (Katie) Plax,
M.D., FAAP of Washington University in St. Louis. Her email is plax_k@kids.wustl.edu.
Dr. Plax’s credentials are below.

As a passionate advocate for children and children’s health issues, Dr. Plax is
a respected spokesperson for the Chapter’s members, their patients, parents
and caregivers.

Dr. Plax has attended the AAP’s National Legislative Conference
and the Advocacy Summit to represent the MO Chapter and to gain more knowledge
and experience as to how to be an even more effective advocate. She authors
letters to legislators and policymakers on behalf of the Chapter frequently.
She also keeps tabs on Bills related to Child Health issues on the State and
National level and has offered testimony at Hearings in Jefferson City.

Rest assured the Chapter’s members are well represented by Dr. Plax’s fine advocacy
skills and her willingness to ‘go to bat’ for issues that impact Child Healthcare
in Missouri.

A few helpful links are offered here to assist you in obtaining information you might need. If you have others you would like to see added to the site, please contact info@moaap.org for more information.

Useful Links for Information about Current Legislation

Kathryn (Katie) Plax, M.D., FAAP

kathryn plaxAssistant Professor; Director Adolescent Center Adolescent Medicine

Katie grew up in St. Louis. She received her B.A. from Brown University and attended the University of Rochester School of Medicine where she received her M.D. Katie is a board certified pediatrician at the Adolescent Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital where she enjoys seeing patients and teaching residents and medical students. When she is not seeing patients Katie spends much of her time and energy advocating for health care access for uninsured and underinsured people in our state. She received a Soros Advocacy Fellowship through the Medicine as a Profession program of the Soros Foundation. The Fellowship allowed her to increase children’s access to health care through a policy called presumptive eligibility for children in the state of Missouri. This policy allows income eligible children to be immediately enrolled in the Medicaid or CHIP program at community sites. She looks forward to continuing to build on these community relationships to secure access to quality health care for all.

 


Education

  • B.A., Brown University, Providence, RI, 1985-1989
  • M.D. University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 1992-1996

 

Training

  • Intern in Pediatrics, Boston Combined Residency Program Boston City/Boston Children’s Hospital, 1996-1997
  • Resident in Pediatrics, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, Mo., 1997-1999
  • Community Pediatrician, John C. Murphy Health Center and Healthcare For Kids

 

Licensure and Board Certification

  • Missouri Licensure, 1997-present
  • American Board of Pediatrics, 1999

 

Honors

  • Eva A. Mooar Premium, a monetary award for contributions to the college and the community, 1989
  • Brown University’s nominee for national Student Humanitarian Award, 1989
  • Robert J. Haggerty Prize in Pediatrics, University of Rochester, an award for scholarship and concern for the care for all children, 1996
  • Outstanding Resident Award, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, an award presented by the Missouri Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 1999
  • Recognized by the women Legislators of Missouri in a salute to Women Doctors and Health Care Administrators, 2000
  • The Ashley Award, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, an award for children’s advocacy, 2002

    For more information about Legislative Affairs associated with either the MO General Assembly or Federal legislation, contact:
    Kathryn Plax, M.D, FAAP
    Legislative Chairperson
    plax_k@kids.wustl.edu