WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 6, 2006 -- Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, issued the following statement on the proposed budget that the Administration released today:
"While the March of Dimes strongly supports the Administration's commitment to expand the use of electronic health records, we are very concerned that several proposals in the President's budget may threaten access to maternity coverage for women as well as pediatric care for infants and children with significant medical needs.
"First, in examining the Administration's budget proposal, the March of Dimes hoped to find a plan for expanding affordable, comprehensive health coverage to America's 12.7 million uninsured women of childbearing age and 9 million children. Unfortunately, the Administration offered up three ideas that fall far short of providing meaningful solutions for these populations. Association health plans, health savings accounts, and a proposal to allow insurers to sell products across state lines share a common theme – these encourage families to purchase insurance in markets where coverage for maternity care is often nonexistent, and benefits for children with expensive health care needs are often inadequate. In all but 13 states, standard maternity services generally are not included in health insurance policies sold to individuals. If they are made available, coverage for prenatal care, labor, delivery and postpartum care is available only as a separate rider and tends to be very expensive.
"Second, the Foundation is deeply troubled that the Administration is calling for further reforms to the Medicaid program. Medicaid is the single most important source of coverage for maternity services, financing 37 percent of hospital births and more than half of all hospital stays for preterm babies. The program also provides access to crucial preventive and specialty care for an estimated 26 million children through its Early, Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) benefits. Many of the children who utilize EPSDT have special health care needs, including those with long term medical problems associated with birth defects and prematurity. We are concerned by the Administration's proposal to create a new waiver initiative for states. These "consumer-driven" approaches to Medicaid are designed to shift risk onto vulnerable beneficiaries by relieving states of responsibility for providing comprehensive coverage. The March of Dimes strongly opposes any waiver or reform effort that narrows Medicaid benefits or reduces eligibility for pregnant women, infants and children.
"Third, we are deeply disappointed by the proposed funding levels for several key agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services. In the wake of significant budget retrenchment in 2005-2006, we are especially concerned about the reductions in funding recommended for research, surveillance, and prevention activities carried out by the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Health Resources and Services Administration. Continued under funding of critical research and public health programs imperils the health of mothers and children today and in the future. The March of Dimes intends to work closely with Congress to deflect these proposals and find the resources necessary to meet the many challenges facing maternal and child health, such as preterm birth, birth defects, and the availability of newborn screening for conditions that are treatable.
"Fourth, the March of Dimes is pleased that President Bush has again included in his budget a series of tax proposals designed to encourage charitable giving. Tax incentives hold promise as a stimulus for increasing the resources charities, including the March of Dimes, can devote to strengthening our communities and improving the health of children and families."
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.
