Overview The health and well being of pregnant women and children are key indicators to the health and well being of society. Healthy children begin with healthy mothers and healthy pregnancies. - Women who receive appropriate and adequate prenatal care, nutrition, and support services have a better chance of having a healthy baby.
- Women who receive prenatal care early in their pregnancies tend to have fewer problems and deliver healthier babies.
- Newborn screening and early diagnosis of health problems ensures timely, appropriate treatments that can save both human suffering and health care dollars.
- Adequate nutrition improves growth and development, and can also improve a child's ability to resist disease.
- Childhood immunizations have long been held as a key to the prevention of infectious disease.
- Child safety and booster seats are effective ways to save lives in car crashes.
- Mental health is a critical component of children's learning and general health.
- Access to adequate oral health care services and prevention helps children to be healthier, happier, and makes them better learners.
| Grants and Waivers for States
States are taking advantage of new flexibility with federal grants and waiver authority to expand coverage to new populations and control rising costs. Much of the discussion of new waivers involves the HIFA (Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability) Initiative. | Improving the health and well being of pregnant women and children has long been a top priority for states. States play an important role in administering several programs that use both state and federal funds and are designed to improve the health and well being of pregnant women and children including: - Medicaid and the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program (EPSDT);
- State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP);
- Title V - The Maternal and Child Health Service Block Grant;
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC);
- Health Start Initiative;
- Family Planning Services; and
- Health Centers.
In addition, many states administer programs using state-only funds that support women, children, and families. Focus of Center Activities - Track and monitor Medicaid and SCHIP eligibility for pregnant women, children, and families;
- Provide technical assistance to states as they design and implement programs aimed at improving health services and systems for pregnant women, children, and families; and
- Provide research and analysis on emerging trends in health care services and systems for pregnant women, children, and families
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