State AdvocacyFocus

​The AAP provides consultation and technical assistance to chapters seeking to influence state government policy.​

Assault Weapons Bans

The federal assault weapons ban prohibited the sale and manufacture of certain military-style semiautomatic weapons and high capacity magazines in the U.S. but expired in 2004.

Childhood Immunizations

The Academy has long advocated for preventive care, including immunizations, as a major component of pediatric health care and disease prevention.

Essential Health Benefits

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires the establishment of an "essential health benefits (EHB) package" for certain health insurance plans including qualified health plans (QHPs) and the Medicaid expansion population.

Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) or "Red Flag" Laws

Extreme Risk Protection Orders or "Red Flag" laws allow family members or law enforcement to petition a judge to remove a firearm from the environment of a person deemed at risk of harming themselves or others.

Flavored E-Cigarette and Tobacco Products

E-cigarettes, also called personal vaporizers or "vapes", present another way for smokers to ingest nicotine.

Medicaid Payment

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes a critical provision to increase Medicaid payment for primary care services to Medicare levels in calendar years 2013-2014.

Medicaid Expansion

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) permits states to expand Medicaid to a newly eligible adult population-those who are younger than 65 years old, not pregnant, not eligible for Medicare, and who have family incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level.

Raising the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Purchase Age to 21

Preventing youth smoking initiation is an important strategy to reduce tobacco-related diseases. The vast majority of people who become addicted to tobacco start using tobacco products before the age of 21.

Safe Storage of Firearms

The presence of unlocked guns in homes increases the risk of both unintentional gun injuries and intentional shootings.

Teen Driving

Motor vehicle-related crashes remain the leading cause of death in youth from ages 16 to 20, resulting in approximately 5,500 deaths annually.

Universal Background Purchases for Gun Purchases

States with universal background check laws require that all sales of firearms take place through a licensed dealer who can perform a background check prior to the sale.

Waiting Periods for Firearms Purchases

Under current federal law, there is no waiting period requirement for the purchase of guns. Waiting period laws give law enforcement additional time to perform an accurate background check and create a "cooling off" period to prevent acts of violence or suicide attempts.