MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

Ensuring a healthy start in life for children remains not only a high priority of my Administration, but also one of the most cost effective forms of health care.

When I took office, immunization levels for preventable childhood diseases had fallen to 70%.  As a result of a concerted nationwide effort during my Administration, I am pleased to report that now at least 90% of children under 15, and virtually all school-age children are immunized.  In addition, reported cases of measles and mumps are at their lowest levels ever.

Under the National Health Plan I have proposed, there would be no cost-sharing for prenatal and delivery services for all pregnant women and for acute care provided to infants in their first year of life.  These preventive services have extremely high returns in terms of improved newborn and long-term child health.

Under the Child Health Assurance Program (Chap) legislation which I submitted to the Congress, and which passed the House, an additional two million low-income children under 18 would become eligible for Medicaid benefits, which would include special health assessments.  Chap would also improve the continuity of care for the nearly 14 million children now eligible for Medicaid.  An additional 100,000 low-income pregnant women would become eligible for prenatal care under the proposal.  I strongly urge the new Congress to enact Chap and thereby provide millions of needy children with essential health services.  The legislation has had strong bipartisan support, which should continue as the details of the bill are completed.

I also urge the new Congress to provide strong support for two highly successful ongoing programs:  the special supplemental food program for women, infants and children (WIC) and Family Planning.  The food supplements under WIC have been shown to effectively prevent ill health and thereby reduce later medical costs.  The Family Planning program has been effective at reducing unwanted pregnancies among low-income women and adolescents.

EXPANSION OF SERVICES TO THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED

During my Administration, health services to the poor and underserved have been dramatically increased.  The number of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) assignees providing services in medically underserved communities has grown from 500 in 1977 to nearly 3,000 in 1981.  The population served by the NHSC has more than tripled since 1977.  The number of Community Health Centers providing services in high priority underserved areas has doubled during my Administration, and will serve an estimated six million people in 1981.  I strongly urge the new Congress to support these highly successful programs.

MENTAL HEALTH

One of the most significant health achievements during my Administration was the recent passage of the Mental Health Systems Act, which grew out of recommendations of my Commission on Mental Health.  I join many others in my gratitude to the First Lady for her tireless and effective contribution to the passage of this important legislation.