Senate HELP Committee Approves Bills Related To Prenatal Care Funding, Down Syndrome

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 17 Mar 2008 - 6:00 PST

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The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday approved by voice vote bills related to the reauthorization of the Healthy Start program and a second measure related to Down syndrome, CQ HealthBeat reports.

The Healthy Start program directs federal funding for prenatal care to areas of the country with high infant mortality rates. The reauthorization bill (S 1760) -- sponsored by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) -- would provide $120 million in fiscal year 2008 through FY 2013 for the program (Lubbes, CQ HealthBeat, 3/13). According to a Brown release, the measure would increase funding by 20% from the previous authorization. Healthy Start operates in 97 communities in 37 states where the infant mortality rate is above 150% of the national average. The legislation also would include new projects to accelerate progress in reducing infant mortality (Brown release, 3/13). Brown said that the program "does more than just help pregnant women cope with pregnancy; it is there for women regardless of their financial or living situation" (CQ HealthBeat, 3/13).

The second bill (S 1810) approved by the committee would amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the provision of scientifically sound information and support services to patients receiving a positive test diagnosis for Down syndrome or other prenatally and postnatally diagnosed conditions, including creating a hotline for parents of children diagnosed with Down syndrome and a database of parents willing to adopt children with the condition (S 1810 text, 3/14). The bill authorizes $5 million annually through FY 2013 to support efforts by health care providers to provide more comprehensive medical information about Down syndrome, including facts about life expectancy, referrals to support networks and options for caring for children with the condition (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/29). The HELP Committee approved the bill last month but had to pass it again because the panel neglected to vote on a substitute amendment (CQ HealthBeat, 3/13).

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