March of Dimes Response to President’s Budget

          Washington, D.C., February 26, 2009-- Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, issued the following statement on the release of President Obama's budget:

       “The health of our country's children should be a priority.  We took an important step with the signing of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act earlier this month.  We took another step with several provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

       "President Obama is now proposing a dramatic leap forward in his budget by asking Congress to commit needed resources, and just as importantly, by sharing his bold thinking on how to provide millions of people who are uninsured, or underinsured, access to heath care.

        “We must make sure that vulnerable, medically fragile children—whether born premature or with a birth defect—can access needed medical care and specialty services. We have a responsibility, and a commitment, to each of our citizens no matter where they live, no matter their age, or even how tiny they may be. They are members of our communities, and they have a right to quality care.

      “We must simultaneously focus on prevention – such as early maternity care for all pregnant women and comprehensive health services for their babies.

      “The nation cannot draw a line—whether a boundary line or a bottom line—and say that only some families can do what's needed to make sure their children are healthy and able to thrive while others cannot. States must get real dollars to rebuild the public health infrastructure from investing in prevention through immunizations to screening every newborn for treatable disorders to tracking birth defects so we may combat their occurrence.

      “All of us at the March of Dimes look forward to working with the President and Members of Congress from both sides the aisle in weeks and months ahead to craft a meaningful bill that addresses the needs of our nation’s families.”