Health care for pregnant women and young children

Article Abstract:

The health of children depends, in large measure, on the health of their mothers during pregnancy, the quality of prenatal and postnatal care, and the health services that are available and accessible to their families as they are growing up. In terms of health services, as many as 28 million infants, children and youth are underinsured or uninsured, and underserved. Medicaid is a potential provider if the child's family can penetrate the system. Still others find themselves without private insurance, but ineligible for Medicaid. The pregnant girls between 15 and 19 years and pregnant women between 20 and 24 years are in serious need of appropriate health care services, which are currently unavailable to between 22 and 27 percent of these groups. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has proposed a plan that would build on current health programs. All pregnant women and newborns would be enrolled into a new national health care program over a 6-year period. This would require reduced initial cash outlays and would provide the private sector the opportunity to join this effort without disrupting the current funding structure. Major points of this proposal are: all pregnant women and young children would be covered with a basic benefit package; all private carriers would be required to include this basic package in their policies; employers would pay a special payroll tax if they did not offer health insurance; other federal child health programs would be included; existing health care systems would remain intact; reimbursement schedules would be specifically developed; a Federal Child Health Insurance Commission would be created to establish standards; and a council of child health and social services would be established, with private and public representation, to provide monitoring and advisory services. The incremental development of this effort would not increase medical care costs substantially, but it would greatly increase the quality and level of care for women and children who are sorely in need of it. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health planning, Maternal health services

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The American Academy of Pediatrics response to the growing health needs of children

Article Abstract:

During meetings held in 1988, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) established as its top priority access to health care for all children. This proposition was supported by three components: introduction of federal legislation guaranteeing financial access to medical care for all children and pregnant women; the establishment of community-based projects to meet the special needs of children; and the introduction of a public relations program to increase public awareness of the problems of child health. The academy developed a resolution that guarantees all children through age 21, pregnant women, the uninsured, underinsured, and uninsurable financial access to health care. With minimum disruption to the current system of health care, this one-tired system will assure equal benefits to patients in the private and public sectors. The details of the AAP plan, defining benefits, coverage, financing, and administration, are set forth by the author. The academy plans to introduce appropriate legislation during the forthcoming congressional sessions. In support of its community-based program platform, the AAP is offering two programs to encourage and lend financial support to community efforts. It invites pediatric organizations, child advocates, and others interested in equitable health care to join them in their efforts. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Update on the American Academy of Pediatrics activities to achieve universal access to health care for all children

Article Abstract:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continues to develop programs and advocate policy changes in its efforts to guarantee medical care for all children. In 1990, about one in six children did not have health insurance, accounting for 34% of the uninsured in the US. Despite the increase in federal appropriations for children's programs, funding still did not meet AAP recommendations. With the changing political climate in 1993, it is likely that Congress will pass some sort of bill to control health care costs and improve access to medical care. At the state level, the AAP is supporting a number of programs to expand insurance coverage, preventive health care and children's services. The AAP has also established two programs - Community Access to Child Health and Healthy Tomorrow - to help pediatricians and communities develop programs to meet children's health needs locally.

Social aspects, Laws, regulations and rules, Finance, Children, Social policy, Pediatrics

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