Gina Davis, gdavis@zerotothree.org, 202-864-2934
Zack Cohen, zcohen@westendstrategy.com, 404-821-0572
WASHINGTON – Early childhood leaders today are urging Congress to reject the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s proposed Medicaid cuts that would leave nearly 9 million people without health care coverage. In a statement, Melissa Boteach, chief policy officer at ZERO TO THREE, said.
“Medicaid is a lifeline for families and communities. It pays for the rural hospital a family rushes to when their child is injured. It covers the health screenings kids need for early detection and intervention. It insures nearly half of all births and helps new mothers get postpartum mental health care.
“These cuts would mean skipped doctor visits, missed developmental screenings and fewer mental health services for parents and children. They will drown people in red tape and strip coverage from those who qualify.
“If Congress moves this proposal forward, on top of other cuts it is considering to programs like SNAP, millions of babies, toddlers and caregivers will be sick without access to care; will lack adequate nutrition; and will struggle to meet basic needs. Instead of cutting services, now is the time for Congress to secure our nation’s future by investing in the health care, nutrition, child care and more that babies and their caregivers need.”
