Maternal and Child Health

Maternal and child health (MCH) programs focus on health issues concerning women, children and families, such as access to appropriate prenatal and well-child care, infant mortality prevention, emergency medical services, injury prevention, newborn screening, and services to children with special health care needs.  States invest in healthy children and families and hope, in turn, to save money by averting more costly health problems and avoiding the need for related support services down the road.

Both federal and state funds contribute to MCH-related programs, such as the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant; Medicaid; the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP); the Healthy Start Initiative; the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program; and the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).  States also play an important role in administering these programs.

Recent News/Updates

• Healthy Women, Healthy Babies (June 2008)
  Issue Brief, Trust for America's Health
  
• Childhood Immunizations (May 2008)
  This NCSL postcard includes information on school requirements, immunization funding, and immunization registries.
  
• Osteoporosis Breaks Bones and Budgets (April/May 2008)
  This LegisBrief provides a summary of state and federal action related to osteoporosis.
  
• Women and Diabetes (March 2008)
  This National Conference of State Legislatures Postcard provides some brief statistics about women and diabetes, costs, and control and prevention.
  
• One in Four Uninsured Eligible for Public Insurance But Not Enrolled, Says New NIHCM Report
  Understanding the Uninsured: Tailoring Policy Solutions for Different Subpopulations
  National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM), April 2008
  
• Early Childhood Health Problems and Prevention Strategies: Costs and Benefits
  Studies Show Lasting Societal Benefits from Investments in the Health of Young Children
  Partnership for America's Economic Success, Issue Brief, January 22, 2008
  
• Statement by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on Autism and the Vaccine Injury Program
  Press Release, March 3, 2008
  
• Education and Global Challenges
  Presentation by Michael Milken at the West Coast Economic Forum on Early Childhood Investment, Santa Monica, February 28, 2008
  
• The Cost of Low Birthweight Babies
  NCSL Postcard, February 2008
  
• National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs Chartbook 2005-2006
  Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration
  
• Study Shows Medicaid Reimbursement for Car Seats is Cost-Effective Health Policy
  
• Five New Reports released by Kaiser Family Foundation's Commission on Medicaid and Uninsured (KCMU)
  New reports indicate that states promoted broader coverage for children in 2007, but report that a declining economy coupled with lack of SCHIP reauthorization and new federal rules now compromise efforts to reduce the number of uninsured
  Kaiser Family Foundation, January 2008
  
• California's Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism
  
• The American Academy of Pediatrics' New Web site on Children's Mental Health
  

This site is made possible by project, MCU 1 H03 MC 00017, from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Featured Links

• Women's Health
• Reproductive Health
• Adolescent Health
• Policy Topic List 
• More Resources
• SCHIP
• Maternal and Child Health - Snapshot for Legislators
• Submit a question to NCSL (legislators and staff only)