Nurse Home-Visitation Program For Low-Income Women Attracting Bipartisan Support

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 20 Apr 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Supporters of President Obama's proposal for a nurse home-visitation program for low-income women who are pregnant or have recently given birth are "optimistic" that bipartisan support for the plan in Congress will help ensure that it receives funding this year, CQ HealthBeat reports. The proposed initiative was inspired by the Colorado-based Nurse-Family Partnership, a similar program for low-income women that research shows has led to improved prenatal health, fewer subsequent pregnancies and a decrease in childhood injuries, according to David Olds, the founder of the program and a professor at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

Members of Congress say that there is widespread support from both parties for Obama's proposal, which is expected to cost $8.6 billion over 10 years. In his initial budget proposal, Obama requested that spending on the program be classified as mandatory, which would allow it to avoid the annual appropriations process. According to a House aide, Congress will begin determining how to implement the program, possibly as part of national health care reform plans, after it receives Obama's full budget proposal in May.

A Senate aide said the home-visitation program is "well on the path to being implemented." In March, a bipartisan group of House members -- including Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) -- sent a letter to Obama urging him to support home visitation programs like the Nurse-Family Partnership, which various studies have shown to be effective. The letter said, "We share your belief that nurse home visitation based on rigorous scientific evidence is a cost-effective way to improve the health and well-being of first-time parents and their children." A similar letter is circulating among a bipartisan group of senators, CQ HealthBeat reports (Gensheimer, CQ HealthBeat, 4/14).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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