Sacramento, California– The March of Dimes, whose mission is to improve the health of babies, is working with the California Maternal and Child Health (MCH) directors to enact legislation, A.B. 1147, that will restore funds vetoed in the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2001-2002 that cut $2.6 million from California’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services allocation. Because the federal government matches these funds 3 to 1, total loss to counties could be nearly $7 million, according to the Department Health Services.
“March of Dimes is calling on the public to contact their state legislator and encourage him/her to support A.B. 1147,” said Susan Abbott-Rogge, RN, NP, March of Dimes State Public Affairs Chair. “We are concerned that the cuts will eliminate personnel vital to the implementation of programs affecting the health of women and their children.”
If no action is taken and the budget is reduced, immediate consequences will include:
- The dismantling of programs in counties that are unable to implement an un-funded program
- Loss of Maternal and Child Health staff that will impact over 20 statewide programs.
To demonstrate the impact of the loss, Sonoma County’s current MCH budget of $265,832 would be cut nearly in half, to $147,058. This translates to the discontinuation of community health assessments for pregnant women, infants and children who have been studied to identify causes of morbidity and mortality.
Furthermore, the following are among the more than half a dozen programs that would be subject to discontinuation in Sonoma County (for details on programs in your region, please contact Julie Lenden):
- pregnant substance abusing women
- training for providers on screening and referral for domestic violence and substance abuse
- improved access to children health care coverage
“Communities look to MCH programs to constantly assess and provide surveillance on the MCH population and to help the community initiate necessary services,” continued Abbott-Rogge. “Singular community agencies can provide the service but do not have the resources to plan, seek out models and help initiate and evaluate efforts. MCH is therefore a necessary service.”
About March of Dimes
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. For more information, visit the March of Dimes web site or the Spanish web site or call 1-888-MODIMES.
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