Insuring Wisconsin’s Pregnant Women, Infants and Children
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| Prepared by the Wisconsin March of Dimes (1-800-747-DIME)
Background
Enacted in 1997, the States Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) is designed to expand health care coverage to millions of uninsured children in low income working families. All 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico participate in this joint federal-state program. Approximately $40 billion in federal matching funds are available to the states over ten years to support this program.
Presumptive Eligibility is a Medical Assistance (MA) program that provides immediate enrollment for MA benefits for pregnant citizens. Emergency Medical Assistance is a MA program serving non-US citizens. The State of Wisconsin treats this population differently, in that it allows for enrollment of pregnant non-citizens only after the patient reaches her eighth month of pregnancy.
Importance of Early Prenatal Care
Women who received prenatal care are more likely to have access to screening and diagnostic tests that can help to identify problems early; services to manage developing and existing problems.
Lack of early prenatal care is associated with poor birth outcomes including low birthweight
Neonates, without prenatal care, who were admitted to the intensive care unit were nearly 3 times as likely to have low birth weight and nearly 4 times as likely to be born prematurely as their counterparts with prenatal care. (American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2000).
Hospital charges associated with postnatal diagnoses are among the highest of all hospital diagnoses. In fact, preterm-low birth weight births generate more than $1 billion in hospital charges annually. (CDC)
Low birth weight, short gestation and fetal growth retardation have a mean cost (including hospital, physician fees and rehabilitation treatment) of $56,942. An average lifetime medical expense for a premature baby is estimated at $500,000! (Health Care Utilization Project, 1999)
Wisconsin’s Current Status
Currently, there are 193,921 Hispanic persons living in Wisconsin. (Though, to more accurately account for those Hispanics who did not participate in the 2000 census, experts say this number could be doubled) (2000 Census)
In 1999, 70.5% of Hispanic women received prenatal care in the first trimester compared to 87% of the white population. (Bureau of Health Information, 2002)
It is estimated that 7.1%, or 101,000 Wisconsin children (under age 19), are uninsured (Bureau of Census, 2000/2001).
As of June 2002, BadgerCare enrollment was at 98,094 state residents. (Ross, AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press, 8/13). By August 2002, BadgerCare enrollment had grown by 7.8% (7,115) over 2001 figures. (Wisconsin Budget Project)
In Wisconsin, low–income uninsured families who are not eligible for Medicaid qualify for BadgerCare if family income is below 185 % of the federal poverty level. This is about $27,787 for a family of three.
Recommendation
The March of Dimes Wisconsin Chapter urges the Legislature maintain funding for both BadgerCare and Medicaid to satisfy a growing caseload. The Chapter also urges the Legislature to extend immediate enrollment for Emergency Medical Assistance to pregnant non-citizens to cover the costs of health care services. |
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Ask members of Congress to sponsor the Preemie Act.
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