Subject: Developmental and Trauma Screenings I am a pediatrician with over 45 years of experience in clinical pediatrics. I practiced at San Mateo County Medical Center, the facility in SMC dedicated to serving the health care needs of all and especially the low income population. I applaud the proposals to increase the quantity and quality of health care screenings of children served by MediCal. Early screening for developmental, physical, and behavioral problems in young children is the key to the early diagnosis of congenital or acquired conditions that if undetected or untreated will impair their health as children as they grow and develop and their potential for a healthy and successful adulthood. This is good preventive health care. Of equal importance however, is access and availability of treatment resources for children and families that require specialized health care services based upon the problems uncovered by the screening process. Communities are often challenged to establish and support these services for low income families in addition to the difficulties families themselves may have with access. All this required good financial and policy support at the local, state and national level. The AAP I am sure will be there for the children and their families as well to continue to advocate for the pediatricians and nurse practitioners in the line of service. I think this is definitely a move in the right direction to help children reach their potential for success in life. Thank You Harvey S Kaplan, MD, FAAP BCL:0;PCL:0;RULEID:(2390118)(7020095)(4652040)(8989299)(5600141)(711020)(4605104)