Dr. David T. Tayloe, Jr., MD, FAAP, president of the AAP

AAP: Health Care Reform

Health Care Reform, Children, and the AAP - The health care reform debate in Washington seems to be changing by the day, but one thing remains the same - the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is working hard to ensure that all children have insurance coverage with age appropriate benefits and appropriate payment for care delivered in a medical home.

David T. Tayloe, Jr., MD, FAAP, is the 2008-2009 President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The AAP is the nation's largest pediatric organization, with a membership of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists.

Dr. Tayloe is a full-time general pediatrician. He founded a solo practice in Goldsboro, N.C., in 1977, after completing medical school at the University of North Carolina and pediatric residencies at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and North Carolina Memorial Hospital. He helped establish the successful child health system in North Carolina that includes the NC Universal Childhood Vaccine Distribution Program, the physician-directed Medicaid managed care initiative, and the NC Health Choice Program (SCHIP).

As AAP president, Dr. Tayloe will focus on federal government initiatives and work with new national leadership and Congress to ensure that children are top priority for all government leaders.“The AAP will continue to work to guarantee all children access to high quality, cost-effective health services in a pediatric medical home,” he said. “Retail-based clinics, a sluggish economy and managed care organizations will make that a daunting task, but I am committed to proving the value of the work we do to put our nation’s children first in our health care system.”

Melanie Cole, M.S.

7 / 29 / 2009