March of Dimes Urges Secretary Leavitt to Protect Medicaid Coverage for Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children

Dr. Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes, issued the following statement on confirmation of Governor Mike Leavitt to be the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):

"The March of Dimes congratulates Secretary Leavitt on his confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  We are encouraged that he supports maintaining Medicaid's coverage of the lowest income mothers and children.

"However, we very concerned that he appears open to imposing arbitrary limits on federal support for Medicaid coverage of beneficiaries (including pregnant women, infants and children) with family incomes above $20,841/$25,071 (133% of the federal poverty level for a family of 3/4). Cutting off federal support for this population would cause devastating effects to beneficiaries with very modest incomes and would be especially problematic for children with major medical needs because the special protections they currently have through Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) would be terminated.  According to the most recent national data available from HHS, in 1998 more than 1 million children were referred to treatment through EPSDT.

"The March of Dimes hopes that Secretary Leavitt will protect coverage for pregnant women, infants, and children – especially those with special health care needs--and that we can work together to improve access to cost efficient quality coverage through this important health program."