|
Volunteers and staff of the Florida Chapter of the March of Dimes, with seven divisions throughout Florida, have declared August 16-20 "Babies in the Sunshine Week." March of Dimes volunteers and staff will blanket the state, calling on legislators and other public officials to express concerns regarding Medicaid restructuring and cuts to programs and services, particularly those that affect pregnant women, infants, and children. Medicaid is a federal/state program administered by the state and funded from federal and state revenues that provide health insurance programs for low income families.
March of Dimes State Public Affairs Chair, Dee Jay Hellrung said, "We have two major concerns we want to convey to every legislator - one is that the restructuring of Medicaid should be an open process of discussion with input from the citizens of Florida, healthcare providers, and the beneficiaries of the Medicaid program. Changing the Medicaid program could be detrimental to Florida's most vulnerable citizens and March of Dimes wants local officials, legislators and Governor Bush to, not only, participate in open discussion but to carefully consider the ramifications any proposed changes may bring to the citizens of Florida.”
Hellrung continued, "Our second big concern has to do with the cut that took place during the 2004 legislative session. Pregnant women with incomes above $23,500 per year for a family of three will lose their Medicaid benefits effective July 1, 2005. Low-income pregnant women are certainly among Florida's most vulnerable citizens and we will be talking to our legislators about this. Maternal and child health advocates estimate this could affect over 15,000 pregnant women."
March of Dimes volunteers and staff will be joined on the legislative visits by representatives from Healthy Start, Children's Home Society of Florida, and Family Health Centers.
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 and in 2003 launched a five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org.
|
